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
Neil, Colin and Iain,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Pat was one of the first people I met after moving to Calgary. Her warmth,intelligence, grace and compassion have always been an inspiration. Pat was a role model and becoming a school board trustee was a wonderful example of her determination and fine character.
My sincere condolences, Sandra
Dear Neil & family,
We were both shocked and saddened to read about Pat’s death. Our memories of Pat are of a vibrant, warm and caring person with deep abiding and strong principles. Those beliefs and principles were unwavering even when pressed by strident opposition. Her garden was inspirational. It spoke of Pat’s love of colour, beauty, order (but not too much order) and peace – but most of all a celebration of Mother Earth. The same warmth and love were just as evident in her hospitality. Pat was a joy to know, always interested in the adventures and misadventures of friends. Pat was a wonderful, unique human and we well remember her with great affection – especially in our garden, one that she inspired. Jon remembers Trustee Boyle as a strong focused leader supportive of our goal to improve the learning environment in the classroom. We send our condolences to you all.
I was deeply saddened to hear of Pat’s death. I first met her when I was teaching at a school for gifted children where Iain was a student. I appreciated her support both for me personally and for gifted education in Calgary. Her enthusiasm, intelligence and passion for her work at the CBE were outstanding. I had lost touch with Pat, but tears immediately sprang to my eyes when I read her obituary. She was truly an inspiration to me and many.
Shelagh Innes
Our deepest sympathy to you Neil & all of your family, we are deeply saddened with the news of Pat’s passing.
We remember Pat as a very, caring, lovely lady,she will be truly remembered & never forgotten by both of us. She had a wonderful ability to always be so interested & engaged with the people & the things that mattered to her.
Our thoughts are with you all at this very sad time, please do take care of yourselves, as this is a very fragile time for you all, as you deal with your incredible loss of Pat.
Keren & Ken Hickman
Dear Neil,
I was so very sorry about the tragic loss of Pat. She was an outstanding human being and the source of inspiration and connection for many different communities. She inspired so many of us with her absolute clarity of what was most important in life and this was often demonstrated in how she talked about her family and about you in particular. .
She loved you dearly, passionately and with great pride. She always spoke of what a special relationship the two of you shared and the many wonderful things she admired about you and the special times she shared with you: on your travels abroad with her; at Lake O’Hara; and in creating your wonderful home and garden together. She talked about your work with your patients and how paid such special attention to each one and also your talent as a photographer. She would share stunning photos with her friends.
She also talked about Colin and Iain often. She was fiercely proud of and fiercely loved her boys. She delighted in watching them grow from childhood to adulthood and admired the leadership they each now expressed each in their sphere of influence. She also loved and admired each of her daughters-in-law and would mention each of their talents. She saw her grandchildren as miracles and her eyes would fill with tears describing the experience of becoming the grandmother of Naella and Owen.
Pat also described friends in her life with such high regard. She saw the best in each human being and in her presence you felt you were your best. She also modelled repeatedly how one could move forward in life with great grace and dignity no matter what great challenge she was facing. I remember her speaking at the faculty club of the University of Calgary shortly after her bout with breast cancer about gender issues and how it had influenced her life. She left all of us that night richer in spirit and motivated to do what we could to emulate her actions and grace.
All of us feel a giant void in the world right now. It will be up to all of connected to her to fill that void with our stories of her great work and graceful presence on this earth. We shall miss her friendship and her spirit so.
My deepest condolences to you Neil, to you Colin and to you Iain. Your mother Pat was a true inspiration to us all.
Wishing you love and comfort. Ursula Steele
Dear Neil, Colin, and Iain, I am sorry that our first contact in years comes on the heels of such terrible news. As I relive fond memories, remember my heart is with you through this time.
Dear Neil, Colin and Iain,
We are profoundly sad to hear of Pat’s death. These last few days we have been remembering many happier times when Colin and Iain were small, living across the street on University Drive. Pat was a warm and good friend. We remember with pleasure her enthusiasm and intellect, her knowledge and interest in geography and history. While our acquaintance predated her real passion for gardening, she was our first introduction to Saskatchewan Art. We are so sorry for your loss.
Love from David and Gene Anne Smith
Neil: We were saddened to hear that Pat had passed away. She was a good friend and a great colleague as we battled together on the Calgary School Board. I was the Chair when we established the Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunity for Female Administrators that Pat later contributed to so well. Her warmth and positive outlook made working together on common causes fun! She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Please accept our deepest sympathies. Paul and Velma Adams
I will always remember Pat as an exceptional wonderful person.
Dear Neil, Colin and Iian,
We are so sorry for your loss. Have thought of Pat and you many times over the years (still hear the sound of the basketball on the driveway next door resonating in our ears).
Pat helped convince me to become a teacher and after securing a job at Western, I have been there as the music teacher ever since. She was an inspiration to so many you could not possibly keep track but she will live on through all of those she inspired.
We will be thinking of you lots over the next while.
Our hearts are with you. Lorna, Darrell and Alison (your neighbors in Elbow Park)