It is with sadness we report the passing of Patricia Mary, on the 22 of November, 2016. Pat died peacefully at her home in Boulderwood Rise in the presence of her loving husband Keith. Pat was the only child of John and Phyllis Tomney, born in Bourneville, England, on the 18 of January, 1948. Her early years were spent in England, emigrating to Canada in 1954 with her mother, when John returned to his home in Timmins, Ontario, after serving in the Canadian Army during WWII.
Pat was educated in Ontario and entered the Toronto General Hospital Nursing Program, graduating in 1968. Following her training, she specialized in paediatric nursing and served as a neonatal nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and Supervisor of the neonatal unit at the University Hospital in Edmonton. An appointment was then accepted as Director of Nursing at the Victoria General Hospital commencing her career in administrative nursing becoming Vice President Nursing for the Greater Victoria Hospital Society. Pat pursued her interest in the administrative field and obtained an external PhD degree from the University of Cleveland, following which she was named as Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the George Brown University in Toronto. Returning to the west coast, she worked for the Michael Smith Foundation in Vancouver prior to returning to Victoria as an adjunct professor in the Department of Medical Informatics.
Following her retirement from active employment, she enrolled in the Parish Nurse program and enjoyed her duties in this role. Additionally, she pursued her dedication and involvement with her duties to the Cathedral, serving on the Parish Council. During her career, she was honoured by a number of organisations and societies for her contributions to nursing and education.
Pat was predeceased by her parents and first husband, James Coward and survived by step children of her first marriage, Laura, David and grand-daughter Emma, Keith and his children, Mark and grand-children Josephine, Isabelle and Argyll, Fiona and grand-children James and Adam, and daughter Clare.
A service will be held at Christ Church Cathedral at Quadra Street on Monday, 28 of November 2016 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow at the Victoria Golf Club.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Victoria Hospice and Palliative Care Foundation, 1952 Bay Street 4th Floor. Victoria, B.C. Canada.V8R 1J8.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
11 Responses
Pat was an outstanding educator, administrator, leader, and a friend to many. I had the pleasure to get to know her in the informatics program at UVic and other Canadian health care conferences. She was always graceful, insightful and supportive. She inspired many with her wisdom and elegant style. She helped make improvements the university and the health care system. I will miss her very much.
Yuri Quintana