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 and family:
I am so sorry for your loss. I am sad that Pat will not be on the earth with us anymore.
Pat and I met when she first arrived in Victoria and sought my input regarding native plants. She was designing her gardens in the front and the back of the house-to-be. I remember her uncanny talent for design: her ability to know what plant goes where, what colors to choose for each season and how to put it altogether into what was to be a spectacular garden.
I have taken many photos of Pat’s garden over the years. In my native plant gardening workshops I use them as examples of how property owners can bring nature and beauty into their yards. In future workshops I look forward to showing these photos again and again as a reminder of her incredible energy and delightful spirit, as well as her enormous contribution to the recovery of Garry oak ecosystems.
I attended the service on Saturday but was unable to stay for the reception and to offer my personal condolences. The service was a wonderful tribute to Pat and to all she stood for; she would have been very pleased, I think.
A contribution, in her name, is on its way to-
Swan Lake Nature House. The hummingbirds will benefit and this also would please her.
Thank you for having me at the service. I shall miss Pat very much but am so fortunate to have known her, however briefly.
June (woodlands colleague)
Neil and family – although we have not seen you in some time, we are very sad to hear of Pat’s passing. She was a lovely woman and so accomplished. I still refer to the “Pat Boyle method of cooking” when having a lot of preparation to do for a dinner party, laying everything out in order, and when the bags are gone the preparation is done! We enjoyed our acquaintance with you both in Calgary and she will be sorely missed.
With our sincere condolences,
Pat and Ron
Hi Neil: Your call really caught me off guard as I had had no word about Pat until then. If I sounded confused, I was rushing to pack for a Western Pacific Odyessy trip with Doug who has already left for New Zealand.
These things seem much less important when the really important things happen. My thoughts are with you and your family. I had many special times with Pat – especially when we were young and visited at her house on College Avenue (I mistreated her horribly but we both had fun). I’m also glad that we had a super visit when we took our train trip west with Maddie and Katelyn.
I know that nothing can be done to ease your pain but Cathy and I are thinking of you. If you do get a chance to visit Guelph/Hamilton in the future, remember that we have a guest room that is available anytime. Please keep in touch.
I first met Pat when I was a newly appointed principal at Elbow Park School in the CBE in the late 1980’s. She was truly an advocate for public education and the greater needs of her community.I admired and valued her wisdom,sensitivity and genuine ethic of care.
My thoughts and prayer for her family and many dear friends,
John Drysdale
Neil,
When I saw you in Zambri’s on Tuesday night I had no idea what you had just been through!!!
Though I never met Pat, I want to tell you how much I admired her gardening proficiency, turning your front yard into a piece of art ! As my father lives @ 16 King George Terrace I have passed your place many many times over the years you have lived on Gonzales Bay and every time I admire the glorious riot of native plants that now reside there.
I am sorry for your loss.
Anne Boldt
Growing up, Pat touched me with her enthusiasm and support. On my 13th birthday Pat gave me some words of wisdom. She told me, “surround yourself with people who feel secure in themselves, who like you, who don’t feel threatened by you, who encourage and trust and love you for who you are.” Pat did the same; She had a bright spirit, and it brought light and energy to those around her. Pat’s glow won’t go away anytime soon, either – she is alive in the communities and individuals that she brightened with her presence. Her thoughtful encouragement and support of my art studies meant and continues to mean so much to me. Pat was a true gem, I am honored to have known her, and I will miss her.
Neil and family:
We are so saddened by the news of Pat’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Neil, we are so sorry for your great loss. We are still in disbelief and upset at the unfairness of such a great person being taken too soon.
Pat was such a strong supporter of everything we worked on over the years with the Team. Pat inspired Shyanne when she first started with the organization – Shyanne looked to her as a great role model and thought that Pat set such a wonderful example of how to live life to its fullest.
Pat was always there to lend a hand and provide support in so many ways, and always had such a positive attitude. She served on many committees, including the Board, even though she would have rather been out making a difference on the ground – as she did with her restoration and gardening work at Government House and several other sites.
Brian will always remember how happy he was that the two of you won a boat trip around Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. It was great to see both of you so enthusiastically sharing your passion for nature.
Pat will be sorely missed but hers was a life well-lived. Her love for life, you and her family, and giving back to others and the Earth will live on in our memories. We are grateful to have known her.
Brian and Shyanne
Dear Neil, Colin, Iain and family,
Pat made a difference! She brought a joy and deep thought to everything. Pat was a dear friend and mentor since we met in 1986 during the school board election. Thank you Pat & Neil for the loving support of our boys and their careers – all the times you have gone to see our boys shows and hosted them in your beautiful Victoria home.
Pat was always happiest when talking about you Neil, the boys, their spouses and the grandchildren. She was so proud and happy for all of you!
We will build a bird house at the cabin in Windermere. I will miss Pat forever – but always hold a little smile when we see a bird or a ‘native’ flower bloom, knowing Pat helped that happen!
Wish we could be there today,
Much Love,
Doug, Brenda, Jeff, Ryan, Michelle, Mike and Chelle