Patricia Louise "Patsy" (Myra) Clothier
Our Mom, Patricia Louise (Myra) Clothier, passed away on November 13th. We will remember her as kind, loving, beautiful, and the most positive and social person you would ever meet. Above all, Mom cared deeply for her family, friends, students and colleagues.
Mom was born in 1948 in Halifax to Evelyn and Arthur Myra, who taught her and her very close sisters Dolly and Colina unconditional love. The 3 sisters had a loving connection throughout their lives. Mom’s Dad bought Mom her prized possession in grade 8, a sewing machine, which started her passion for sewing. She would spend the rest of her life sewing for her family and friends. Mom met her soulmate William Clothier at QEH High School in 1963, and they were married in 1969 - "He was the very first boy to make my heart race whenever I looked at him". Billy was perfect for Patsy. Soon afterwards her first child Craig (Karen) was born, followed by Chrissy (Erin) and Chad (Andrea). She was not only Mom to us, but to countless others who were missing their mothers. She was most proud of being a Nanny to her 6 grandchildren - Jacob, Drew, Callie, Mason, Tyler, and Dawson, and honourary Nanny to Piper and Addison. Mom was a loving Aunt to Jordan, Jeremy, Emily, Kelly, Ryan, Kevin, Joannie, Jeff, Ron (deceased), Susan, Tracey, and Cheri.
In 1977 Mom and Dad made one of their biggest life decisions moving to the Annapolis Valley. It was in New Minas where our home became the epicenter of countless dinners, gatherings, and celebrations. After working as a secretary at the Acadia Divinity College for 12 years, at the tender age of 39 Mom went back to school and got her teaching degree from NS Teachers College, followed by her Bachelor of Arts degree, and Masters of Education from Acadia University. Mom nurtured the minds and spirits of countless students during her 20 years of teaching in the valley – "School gave me the social environment I craved". Mom loved writing and wrote her thoughts in her journal every morning. She also wrote and published her first book in 1998 "The Day Emily’s Goldfish Died" to help children understand death and dying which won a New Writers Award. It was followed by a book about bees titled "Callista The Amazing Honey Bee Tells All".
Mom had an incredible joy for life. She so enjoyed being with people and hearing about them and their families. She has more friends than anyone we know and loved to share a laugh with them – "My best friends were those I laughed with until I cried". Especially her city best friend, Susan White, and her valley best friend, Margaret VanBlarcom.
Mom was brought up and baptized Anglican and carried her strong faith right until the end. She told us in her last days of life "It’s okay I know where I am going" and that brought her comfort.
There will be a visitation at the White Family Funeral Home in Kentville on Monday, November 18th from 4-6 pm, and a funeral service at St James Anglican Church in Kentville on Tuesday, November 19th at 11:00 am, followed by fellowship at the Louis Millett Hall in New Minas. Mom was a beam of sunshine in so many of our lives, feel free to wear bright clothes to the funeral and reception. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you do an unexpected act of kindness for someone else to honour her legacy of caring and kindness.
"Love never ends, not even in death" – Patsy Clothier