Patricia Boyle died on Saturday, 2 April 2011 in Victoria, BC. She was born in Guelph in 1941 and lived in London, Ontario, London, England, Saskatoon and Calgary before coming to the west coast. It was during a brief and lucky stop in Newfoundland that she met her beloved husband of 30 years, Neil.
She will be sorely missed by her husband; her sons, Colin and Iain; her daughters-in-law, Kip, Karen and Nicole; her grandchildren, Naëlle and Owen and by many, many relatives, friends and people whose lives she touched.
Pat was a cherished wife, mother, and grandmother. Her life blossomed when she had her two sons. She raised them with unconditional love, doting affection and sound advice. She had the gift of giving children her absolute attention and always celebrated the special moments of her family’s life. For Pat, family included many of her son’s friends, to whom she was like a second mother. She took the same delight in being a grandmother. It gave her the utmost joy to play with her grandchildren, teach them the names of plants, and read the stories that she had read to her own sons years before.
She was blessed with a husband who loved her absolutely and whom she loved absolutely in return. Their travels together to six continents, gardening and many games of scrabble were part of a deep love that began from the moment they met.
Pat was a true renaissance woman. She lectured at the University of Western Ontario in geography, worked as a writer and editor in the oil patch, was a Calgary School Board Trustee and later, Advisor to the Calgary School Board on Gender Issues. She was a strong feminist role model for all the women in her life – and the men, too, including her two sons. She was particularly proud of her role in ending corporal punishment in the Calgary School Board, her work with male primary school teachers, and the work she did for gay and lesbian students.
In Victoria, she dedicated herself to becoming a native plant gardener with special interests in Garry Oak ecosystems. She was proud to help naturalize the woodlands at Government House, which she coordinated with many other volunteers. She received the Acorn Award in 2009 from the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team.
She loved many things, including her friends, books, cryptic crosswords, Canadian art, Scrabble, birding, travel, hiking in the Rockies (particularly Lake O’Hara), politics, and people. She had an amazing ability to bring out the beauty around her, in her relationships with people, gardens, and homes that she lived in.
There will be a Celebration of Her Life at MCCALL’S FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at 2 pm. Anyone who wishes to say a few words about Pat will have an opportunity to speak, followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Pat’s passions are encouraged to consider donations to Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team, Garry Oak Meadow Preservation Society, and the Government House Woodlands gardens. She would also be delighted if you could plant a native plant, pull an invasive weed, or put up a birdhouse on your property. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com.
52 Responses
Dear Neil, Iain and Colin, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I’ll always remember Pat as a wonderful and generous person, who had such a positive impact on her family, friends and community. She sparkled and people gravitated to her.
The obituary you wrote for Pat is beautiful and so fitting. Pat truly made a difference and left her mark. She will be missed.
Our sincere condolences, Barb & Stu, Iain & Derek.
I had the privilege and great good fortune to know Pat as a parent as well as a CBE trustee. She was unfailing in her support and unstinting in her encouragement, always a shining light and an indomitable force. Her love for her family extended to the broader community. We appreciated her greatly and loved her very much. Neil, Iain, Colin and family, we hold you in our hearts and prayers.
Neil and family,
I am saddened to hear of Pat’s passing. I came to know Pat during her time as a school trustee and the years following in Calgary. We worked together creating Enabling Visions, an annual conference for junior high female students. Gracious and wise do not come close to fully describe Pat; she brought a deep passion to all her projects and that passion naturally rubbed off on all who were fortunate to be with her in the work. One fond memory? A delectable lunch in her spectacular Calgary garden. Pat and I had lost touch when she moved to Victoria, however, her influence will stay with me forever. May you find comfort in the love of family and friends…
My heartfelt sympathy goes to you Neil, Colin, Iain and family. Have many fond memories while you were here in Calgary. Pat was one great lady. She will be sadly missed. My love . Eileen
I was a member of the Calgary Police Service Diversity Unit dealing in part with the gay and lesbian community when I met Pat.
What an amazing lady…her energy, her determination,her gentle spirit were all things I remember about her. She was taking so many shots from the Calgary Board of Education that she jokingly asked me one day if I could lend her a flack vest. When she left Calgary we were all so sad to see her leave but knew that wherever she ended up it would be a much better place because of her. I am honored to have worked with her and am sad for her passing.
Sincerely,
Phil Haggartt
I met Pat Boyle, then a newly elected school board trustee, in my office in Calgary. She fixed me in a direct gaze and asked, “How is it being the only woman at this level?” “I’m a feminist,” she added.
I got up and shut the door. “So am I” I replied “but don’t tell anyone.”
This was the first of many conversations in which Pat named and claimed tough issues: gay and lesbian students, feminism, native plants – to mention only a few. She was a person of passion, honesty and courage. Her commitment to action was based on ethics and beliefs.
As a friend and colleague she touched our lives with compassion and commitment. Her legacy is as a role model who will not leave our hearts and memories.
This poem
Away
I cannot say and I will not say
That she is dead – she is just away.
With a cheery smile and a wave of a hand
She has wandered into an unknown land,
And left us dreaming how very fair
Its needs must be since she lingers there.
James Whitcomb Riley
Pat’s passing is a huge loss to the Friends of Government House Gardens so the loss to you, her family, must be colossal. Her knowlege, attitude and example will be greatly missed. I extend my condolences.
Dear Neil, Iain and Colin,
We were so sorry to hear of Pat’s passing. Lindsay Johnston in Venezuela has been kind enough to forward the information to us.
I remember fondly our efforts to further the cause of gifted education for children, her school board campaign and a few nature excursions. We have lost a unique lady.
Pat truly loved her family and it showed in all she did.
Barbara and Ken King
Pat’s positive exhuberance and love of life touched me and, I am sure, everyone who had the good fortune to cross paths with her. I will forever remember her kindness and hold her as an example of how one life can touch so many.
How sad for all of you to lose Pat – a truly wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was my dear, dear friend for 60 years although for 50 of those years we lived far apart. Yesterday was my birthday and I received a card from her written only last week and telling me that she was feeling better and had been driving the car for the first time in months.
My brother, John, in Tarifa, Spain and his wife Christine asked to be remembered to all of you, fondly recalling your family visit to their place in Spain several years ago. John also recalled Pat and I always being together when we were teen agers!
My heart goes out to you for your enormous loss.