Phyllis Mary Patterson

Phyllis Mary Patterson, 93 - It is with much sadness that we announce our Mother’s peaceful passing on May 3, 2017 at Blomidon Shannex in Greenwich NS.  The only child of the late Cecil Everett Irving and Marietta Grace (Newcombe) Irving, she was born on the family farm in Delhaven, NS on January 3, 1924. As a teenager, Mom travelled daily via the "Blueberry Express" train to attend Kings County Academy in Kentville, and in 1945 she graduated as an RN from the Saint John General Hospital. After graduation, she worked in the East Saint John Tuberculosis Hospital until returning to the Valley to work at the Blanchard Fraser Memorial Hospital in Kentville. In May of 1949, she married Canadian Army Veteran (WW2) Donald Robertson Patterson, originally from Hortonville.  Mom and Dad provided a loving and welcoming home for their four children, numerous family pets, and countless visitors in our home on the grounds of the Kentville Agricultural Station ("The FARM") where Dad was employed. Mom was also a proud supporter of all the various activities of the family – from the Girl Guide and Scout fundraisers, to the hockey tournaments, league games, music festivals and concerts, and to Dad’s involvement with the Lions Club and the 88^th Battery LAA Reunion Association. In the mid-60’s, Mom returned to nursing at the BFM Hospital and later became a home- visit nurse with the VON in Kings County until retirement in the mid-80’s. After their retirements, and a move to New Minas, she and Dad became active with the local Food Bank, the New Minas United Church, and eventually with the New Minas Presbyterian Church. Mother took up curling in the Senior Ladies Club at Glooscap CC in Kentville. They also satisfied their travel urges and curiosity about this country as they headed out with friends or on their own to explore the wonders of the continent in their Roadtrek van.  Home was always "the VALLEY". Mom preserved, pickled and froze bumper vegetable garden crops from Dad’s garden and all bounty was readily shared with family, friends and the food banks. Evenings would see them sitting on the back door landing on the Farm listening to the spring peepers and watching the endless road hockey games, or in later years, strolling through New Minas or sitting on the deck watching the next generation play on the lawn when family came home to visit. Together, they loved to play bridge and 45’s, sample a nightly ice cream from Scotian Gold or Hennigar’s farm markets, dance at the Cornwallis Inn to the tunes of John Sands and travel around the county supporting the local church hall and community suppers. After Dad passed away in April 2001, Mom remained in New Minas until December 2008 when she moved into the new Kings Riverside Court in Kentville – ironically, this facility is located on the site of the very same train station at which she had arrived every morning during her high school years. In July 2015, Mom moved to the care of Grand View Manor in Berwick and shortly after, she became a resident of Shannex Blomidon Court in Greenwich. Mom is survived by her children Janet (Victor) Gorman of Windsor Junction NS, Jaqueline (David) Nixon of Coldbrook NS, Robert (Arlene) Patterson of Stonewall MB and David Patterson of St Hubert QC. She was the proud "Grammy" of Michael Gorman of Windsor Junction, Matthew (Tanya) Nixon of North Bay ON, Joshua (Amanda) Nixon of Russell ON, Tara Patterson and Riley Patterson (Celine Doll) of Stonewall MB, and was known as "Gummy" to Steven Patterson and Nicolas Patterson (Stephanie Mandrea) of St Hubert QC. Great- grandchildren include Stella Nixon of North Bay ON and Wyatt Nixon of Russell ON. She is also survived by cousins Murray Wood of Kentville NS, Gladys Reid of Bedford NS and Myrna Murray of Walnut Creek California. Special thanks to the staff from Kings Riverside Court, Grand View Manor and finally at Blomidon Shannex. We are grateful for your kindnesses and special care. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will be held at White Family Funeral Home in Kentville on May 6, 2017 from 10 AM until noon. Burial will be in the family plot in the Lower Horton Cemetery following the celebration. Family flowers only. Donations in memory would be greatly appreciated to the Fundy Interchurch Food Bank or VON Canada.