Mary Patricia Morgan (Trish) died on August 29th, 2021, at 94 years old. She was born February 28th, 1927 in Kolar Gold Fields near Bangalore, India, and lived there until she was eleven. Over 80 years later, she would still fondly recall the childhood adventures she and her brother David had while living in India in the time of the Raj. Prior to the outbreak of WWII, Trish was sent back to England to attend school at Cheltenham Ladies College and was in London throughout the war. Trisha later studied to become an architect, graduating in 1949.

While on a trip to visit her parents in India, Trish met her future husband, David Morgan. They married in 1949 and had two children. David was a mining engineer and they moved frequently for his work. They first lived for several years in Tanzania and then emigrated to Canada, spending a number of years living in small mining towns in Ontario and Quebec. After the family moved to British Columbia, Trish recertified as an architect in 1965 and subsequently practiced in Victoria, becoming just the 3rd woman architect in the province.

Following moves to Toronto and Calgary, David and Patricia retired to Salt Spring Island. There, Tricia fulfilled a lifelong dream of hers by both designing and building her own home. She selected a plot of land on top of a hill with a beautiful view overlooking Boundary Pass. On this land, Tricia constructed a stack wall house made from local cedar logs. She performed most of the work herself, including drywalling the 15 foot high walls on her own.

After David’s death in 1996 Trish began to travel more extensively and adventurously. She sent back postcards from far off lands which lined the bulletin boards of her children’s  homes. True to her stoic nature, while on a month-long hike on the Camino trail at age 85, she fractured her foot but finished the hike, never complaining about her injury. While she traveled across each continent except for Antarctica, she returned most regularly to Thailand to see her brother Peter, who had become a Buddhist monk and lived at an Abbey near Udon Thani for the last 60 years of his life.

Grandma Tricia, or ‘GMT’ to her grandchildren, was a woman of varied interests and considerable talent. Not only could she design and build a beautiful home by herself, but she could sew dresses, knit sweaters, finish the Saturday cryptic crossword, and quote a library’s worth of poetry. She always brought a sketchpad on her trips. On her travels she would spend hours sketching the different buildings and scenes that she observed. Later she would turn many of these sketches into beautiful paintings which her family will forever cherish.
Most importantly, Trish was the matriarch of her family. Beloved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she was a close and involved grandmother so respected that she officiated one grandchild’s wedding.

In her later years, Tricia moved to Victoria, where she continued to enjoy sketching, painting, watching Jeopardy, having a glass of wine with friends or taking part in family outings and celebrations. She also took great joy in becoming a great grandmother.

Mary Patricia Morgan is survived by her two children, John (Cathie) Morgan and Claire Kroshus; six grandchildren: Emily (Matt Hawrilenko), Jack (Benn Haynen), Eric and Tom Kroshus and Lindsay (Scott) Bell and David Morgan (Jose Gaire); and five great
grandchildren, Alexandra, Teddy and Harry Kroshus-Havril and Andersyn and Oakland Bell. She will be remembered as the model of a life lived with curiosity, perspective, and grace.

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com

  • Gundega Kaufmanis

    I was fortunate to have gotten to know Trish over the last twelve years in Victoria through her son and daughter-in-law (John and Cathie Morgan). I love the obituary that has been written and wanted to share my heartfelt condolences to the entire Morgan family. She lived a remarkable life.

    Gundy Kaufmanis

  • Betty Wade

    Meeting Claire in prenatal, I had the unexpected honour of seeing Trish’s first grandchild before even she did. I have known Claire since and over the years, have been fortunate to get to know Trish and all but the newest of her descendants. ‘GMT’ came frequently to Calgary and immersed herself in every part of the young family’s busy life. Trish also made time for me, and over the years, I looked forward to opportunities for a visit. She was pragmatic, energetic, interesting and interested. She was also very humble. She was always there for her family, taking delight in all accomplishments, small or large, of each. She had much to be proud of.
    My condolences to each of you, in the loss of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
    Sincerely, Betty

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