Obituary of Patricia Woodburn

Woodburn, Patricia Philomena - It is with the heaviest of hearts we announce Patricia passed, February 2nd, 2024 at the Brantford General Hospital at the age of 84. She died peacefully with her family around her. She was a shining light and a most beautiful soul. She will be mourned by everyone who knew her. She was a loving mother to her four wonderful children and their partners: Angeline Vandertuin (Edgar), Patsy Wicha (Doug), John Kocsis, and Eileen Elliott (Jeff), as well as her siblings: Anne Kocsis, Andy Woodburn (Glad), Cathy Woodburn, Michael Woodburn (Lynda) and Patrick Woodburn (Linda), and cherished grandmother of Krystan Wicha, Justin Elliott (Karly), Kaileigh Wicha, Kori Elliott (Andrew) Kaitlin Vandertuin. She will be greatly missed by her nieces, nephews, (Michael Kocsis, Patrick Kocsis, Meghan Clark (Ian), Stephanie Woodburn, Erinn vanWynsberghe, Aimee vanWynsberghe, Bob Woodburn (Sophie) Todd Woodburn (Lindsay), Michael Woodburn Jr., Kara Davey (Ron), and grandnieces and grandnephews, cousins, and her many, many friends. Predeceased by parents John A Woodburn and Eileen Hogan Woodburn, both from Ireland. Patricia, a lifelong learner and active community member, touched the lives of many through her diverse interests and unwavering kindness. Patricia's love of music led her to take up the saxophone later in life and she greatly enjoyed performing with the Brantford School of Instrumental Music. She shared her love for opera with her granddaughter, Kaitlin, and together, they attended several performances throughout southwestern Ontario. As a member of the Brant Historical Society, Patricia was always eager to learn and her interest in history enriched her understanding of the world. She actively supported Indigenous history, culture, and art. She attended lectures, historic celebrations, and curated a beautiful collection of Native art and pottery. Well-read and informed, Patricia followed local, provincial, and federal politics closely and her community work with the Brantford Liberal party made a difference.   Patricia volunteered with the Brant Laurier Special Olympics, and she also served as an assistant coach with the Brant Track and Field Club, when her children were young. Her cheers echoed across soccer fields and basketball courts in those years, as they had done for her five younger siblings in prior years. Patricia valued education. She encouraged family members in their academic pursuits, both in Canada and abroad, and her unwavering support and pride fueled their success. In her working life and after, Patricia is fondly remembered by the Braemar School community as the caring lady at the front desk. She made time for every child and parent, brightening school days.   More recently, Patricia became a cherished member of the Seasons retirement community. Her family extends heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care provided there and to the nurses in CCU during our difficult time. Above all, family was core for Patricia, she was the guiding light to immediate and extended family. Patricia was very proud of her Irish heritage and maintained strong connection with her many relatives in Ireland. She often welcomed that extended family, strengthening the bond for future generations.   Patricia was reliably supportive, kind, and compassionate, a role model who personified tolerance and whose understanding nature and wisdom drew others to her. She was beloved for her ability to make each individual encountered, feel like, not just the most important person in the room, but in the world. She lived her life with dignity and elegance. Patricia will be remembered for her ready smile, her welcoming acceptance of others, her endless willingness to help. She made friends wherever her journey took her and her “good appetite” phrase captured her attitude towards life. Life was an adventure everyday and hers was a life well lived. Friends will be received at the Beckett-Glaves Family Funeral Centre, 88 Brant Ave., Brantford, 519-752-4331 on Sunday February 11th, 2024 from 2pm until 4pm. A Service of Remembrance will be held in the chapel on Monday February 12th, 2024 at 10:00am. Cremation has taken place. Donations to the Brant School of Instrumental Music or Brant Historical Society or the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family. A tree will be planted in memory of Patricia in the Beckett-Glaves Memorial Forest. Eulogy for Patricia By Cathy Woodburn Good morning, everyone. It’s so comforting to see you all here this morning to pay tribute to such an amazing woman, Patricia Philomena Woodburn. Her loving children are here today, Angel, Patsy, John and Eileen. To the four of you, it goes without saying, I cannot imagine what you are feeling. You have our love and support and I know how proud you are of your incredible mother. To Patricia’s grandchildren, all of whom are here today, you have to know that your grandmother loved you with all her heart and soul, and would have moved mountains to make each and every one of you happy. Krystan, Justin, Kayleigh, Kori, and Kaitlin. I am Catherine Woodburn, Cathy (or Kitty, as she called me in my childhood), youngest sister of Patricia, and it is an honour to be speaking today about my sister. I am one of 5 remaining siblings: starting at the top, after Pat is Anne, then Andy, then myself, followed by Michael, and then Patty. In the next few minutes, I want to share with you some of the special memories of Patricia to remind all of us of the amazing person whom we had the pleasure of knowing, and loving. There are two themes that I want to emphasize: Firstly, Patricia was resilient. She was a woman confronted with many challenges and she rose above them. And secondly, she saw the silver lining wherever it could be found. She embraced life to its fullest, finding joy and happiness in everything she did. Early Life and Background: Patricia was born in London, England, on December 29,1939, just a few short months after WW2 broke out. She had very early memories of loud noises, which were bombs, and huge fires, which were the damaged sites. During those war years, she would have experienced rations, food shortages, blackouts, and nights spent in air raid shelters or in train stations. All of these experiences formed part of her early childhood. She learned to be resilient at a young age, and to deal with the experiences life threw her way. She shared an early memory with me which involved her accompanying our mother, bringing a hot evening meal down to the end of the street, to the volunteer civilian guard on duty at the bombed site. And she particularly remembered the heartfelt and appreciative response of the guard, “Bless you madame; you are so kind”. This behaviour of helping, and giving to others, remained a cornerstone of her philosophy of life, and guided her in everything that she did. For part of the duration of the war, after our parents were bombed out of their London home, she was taken to the countryside in the west of Ireland, to our maternal grandmother’s home, where it was relatively safe from the devastation of the war. It was isolated, and of course, there was no running water, no indoor plumbing, no electricity. And still, Patricia formed many happy memories of that time. She used to reminisce about the kinship, the laughter of her family and their neighbours, and how much they helped one another. It was there that she developed her lifelong love of Irish music. While in the west of Ireland, she welcomed the arrival of her baby sister Anne with much joy. Following the availability of work, our parents moved to the North of Ireland where they worked on an American base, and where Andy was born in Lurgan, County Armagh. They then moved to Dublin to live near dad’s family, in the now famous Temple Bar District, until the war was over. Pat had vivid memories of this time, and of the many relatives she met on Dublin at this time. Post-war, the family of five moved back to London, England, where Pat excelled in school and always stood first in her class. She captained the championship netball team, and was an all-round exceptional student, loved by students and teachers alike. Upon graduation, she commenced work for the government in her Majesty’s service. The young women entrusted to these positions were locked into the building, because of the high sensitivity of the documents they were working on. When she was 17, our parents made the commitment to emigrate to Canada. The plan was for our dad to come first, find work and a home, and then mom would bring the six kids out. It was decided, though, that Pat would come to Canada with dad and help get a home set up and get a job. Pat looked upon the move to Canada, as she did with so many things, as an adventure: a chance to broaden her horizons. My mother’s older brother, our uncle Martin Hogan, who lived in Paris, Ontario, sponsored us to come to Canada, and Pat and dad stayed with the Hogan family upon their arrival. Both dad and Pat had work within a few days of their arrival. The rest of the family followed six weeks later. What an exciting time that was for all of us! Sadly, and unbelievably, our dad passed away16 months after his arrival in Canada. Pat stepped into the role of surrogate parent and watched out for all of us. She was always there for each of her five siblings. Again, that quality of resilience and strength was evident. She started work in the office at St. Joe’s hospital and a couple of years later, she got married and began to raise the incredible family she has today. Her family was her pride and joy. She poured her energy into her beautiful children. Memorable Moments and Characteristics: I’d like to say a few words about some of the moments in Patricia’s life that speak to the quality of character she developed over that amazing life. I asked my siblings to share memorable moment from Pat's life, thoughts on her traits, their view of the impact she made. I'd like to share with you now, parts of their responses: But before I begin those recollections, I will say what I know, without a doubt, to be the most memorable moments in Pat's life - and that is the births of her 4 children: Angel, Patsy, John, and Eileen. And each milestone that her four children marked, was a moment of profound pride and joy for her. My sister Anne, next oldest to Pat, felt the most memorable moments were in the everyday: the beautiful conversations, the many laughs, the nightly telephone call, the sharing with each other the minutiae of their day, the ups and downs of their lives. What a gift it is to have such a relationship in one’s life - someone who consistently invests time to know you at such a deep and intimate level. We should all be so fortunate! My brother Andy will be sharing his thoughts directly, when he speaks next. Next in line among the siblings is myself. I could probably"bend your ear" for quite some time on the subject of memorable moments in Pat's life. There are so many. As I said earlier, the births of her four children were most important to Pat; she was devoted to her family. I also know that Pat’s trips to Ireland to visit the relatives were meaningful to her, and always filled with laughter. And travelling to Germany to visit my daughter/her niece, Aimee and children, was a memorable time for her. She expressed that she had always wanted to walk along the Rhine, to visit a German Christmas Market, to see the famous Cathedral in Cologne, and we did those things. As we were departing the Cathedral, we noticed a boat tour was about to depart. We seized the moment and hopped aboard. Pat shared that it was a dream of hers to sail down the Rhine. And there we were, as the sun was setting, listening to the German singers and entertainers, floating along the Rhine, seeing the sights. She was in awe. Attending night courses at the University of Waterloo was rewarding intellectually for Pat. She was a lifelong student, always keen to learn new things. She kept herself up-to-date, regularly taking courses to keep her computer skills current, and this commitment to study continued well into her 70's. Her passion for learning was almost as keen as her memory. Pat had a remarkable memory. She could recall events from childhood, vivid facts about where we grew up in England, rich with details. It truly was incredible. A fun moment in Pat's life was meeting Queen Elizabeth II, on the occasion of a Royal visit to Brantford in 1997. Pat and Anne were seated in the dignitaries' box at the outdoor event. As the Queen was leaving, she stopped and had a word with Pat and Anne. They were thrilled, and Pat took the opportunity to share that she had worked in her Majesty's Service. Pat was delighted to answer the Queen's questions about which building and which year. Another special moment for Pat was the building and naming of Woodburn Park, a tribute to our brother Andy's years of service to the people of Brantford, as a member of City Council. Pat loved to bring the younger family members there, explaining why the family name was on the sign, and telling them the story of the first generation of Woodburns and Hogans coming to Brantford. She took pride in sharing and passing on the significance of that legacy. Next in line is our brother Mike who could not be here with us today. He had these words to share with us today: And I quote: Pat’s entire life was in itself a memorable moment in the history of human decency. Pat described her love of life and music in a published work called “Patricia’s Opus”. She wrote this piece in a Seniors’ Book Project called “Brantford Memories Project”. I urge you to Find it, Read it, and Live it. Her unparalleled kindness was passed from her Granny Hogan in the west of Ireland, to her mother, Eileen, and then to Pat. Her life was full of music and love and her legacy was passing that on to all of us….at backyard parties and BBQ’s, at the Woodburn Golf Tournament, at weddings as far away as Stockholm for her nephew, Bob Woodburn (Mike’s son); bunking in with Aunt Heather; and even just two weeks ago, spreading joy at Kennedy’s basketball game. ( Mike and Lynda’s grandaughter). In her Opus, Pat stated her raison d’etre, and I quote, “The birth of my four children was extraordinarily magnificent to me, and they have been my main reason for GIVING THE VERY BEST THAT I COULD GIVE. There was music in the way they smiled and laughed, and also in their tears. (End of quote) Mike goes on to say: “All of us have at times stood on Pat’s shoulders, and her legacy will be the words I WANT TO BE LIKE PAT!” Pat loved a song that our mother used to sing, the Beggarman’s Song: “Oh a million miles I've travelled and a million sights I’ve seen, and I’m waiting for the glory soon to be. Oh I wonder, Yes I wonder, will the angels way up yonder, will the angels play their harps for me. Lynda and I, (Mike), and our children and their families are blessed to have shared in her life. And last but not least, from our youngest sibling, Patty, came additional memories. One Memorable Moment he cited was of Pat travelling alone to Arizona to visit with him and his wife, Linda. He was touched that his big sister came out to spend time with them. And that was just like Pat. He also shared a story about a young high school student of his, named Robby Mearns, who jogged with Patty's Track team early every morning. Robby had cerebral palsy and his dream was to run competitively. Patty encouraged him in these efforts and trained with him. The first run Robby competed in, the Handicapped Games, happened to be held in Brantford. And as Robby was warming up at the starting gate, he heard a voice over the loudspeaker welcoming him to Brantford. Patty turned and said, “I know that voice. That's my big sister!” The young runner was elated, and never forgot meeting the coach's sister at that race, and at many thereafter. Pat was volunteering with the Handicapped Games, always doing her bit to help others. Young Robby Mearns went on to compete at the World Level, and enjoyed great success as a runner. For Patty, this memory represented the essence of who Patricia was: the woman who was at every event, never missing the chance to celebrate the journey and empowerment of those who needed a support system. Patricia was most happy in her life at any gathering with her children, her siblings, her grandchildren… her family. Each of her visits to Ireland, reconnecting with relatives, some of whom knew our parents, and the other generations as well, were very special for her. I mentioned earlier that Pat had one of the most amazing memories of anyone I’ve ever known. She could tell stories of the shop our parents had in London, England in the 1940s when she was about 7 years old. She recounted stories of dad’s carpentry business and the toys that he made, experiences in her early life at school, attending tap dancing lessons, walking Anne in her stroller. She had so much responsibility at such a young age. She used to take us five little ones to the park. She managed all the heavy responsibilities with grace and love, taking it on enthusiastically. Undoubtedly, she found the silver lining in the love that she shared with the family. It’s not just about the memorable moments in her life; it’s about what she did for our lives. She made moments special, not just by her presence but by her affirmation of what each and every member of the family was doing. She genuinely enjoyed all the plays, the music recitals, the basketball games, the dance recitals, the Drum Corps parades, and the Music Tattoos. No matter what else was happening in her life, she was there for family and others, bringing each of us the silver lining. Pat had all the qualities of our mom: compassion, understanding, patience, tenderness, loyalty. She is remembered by all who knew her for her joyfulness. She is remembered by all who knew her as being part of everyone’s family. Even the other day, our dear family friends in London, Don and Gigie McGlynn, who are here today, said to us that Patricia was an aunt to everyone, including them. She embraced everyone, family or otherwise, as basically part of her family. Relationships and Connections: I’d like to take a moment to talk about some of the community relationships and connections Pat established. There are far too many for me to do them justice, so I’ll mention a few for now, and ask forgiveness if I have not mentioned someone or a group here. When the Laurier campus in Brantford opened, Pat was an enthusiastic supporter, and worked diligently to help get it set up. Out of that connection came her decision to establish the Eileen Hogan Woodburn and John Woodburn Scholarship. This scholarship supports a worthy student in financial need, with a special focus on empowering women to receive the education they want and need. Patricia also worked tirelessly for the Liberal Party throughout most of her adult life. As a volunteer, she did it all: she supported candidates, she worked in the offices, and distributed campaign materials. She was held in such high regard by those who ended up working in Parliament that she was given a special invitation to go to Parliament for a private tour by the Speaker of the House, of the Private Chambers. Another important connection was Pat’s time working at Braemar private school here in Brantford. With her sensitive and thoughtful way, she watched over every child, and regularly conversed with each parent. As a member of the Brant Historical Society, Patricia was always eager to learn and that interest in history enriched her understanding of the world, as well as her life. She also took great interest in Indigenous Art and Customs. In addition to those I’ve just mentioned Patricia was engaged in so many more groups. A few that come to mind include the Brantford School of Instrumental Music, Brantford Opera Guild, the Brantford Special Olympics and Brant Track and Field club. Out of all of these connections came many meaningful relationships shared with performers, artists, politicians, coaches… and so on, throughout the city and beyond. Perhaps what stands out most, as Pat attended all of the concerts, plays, sports events and games, exhibitions and events, and political meetings – was her giving nature. She always noticed the efforts of others and made a point of commenting on their performance, work, or contribution, giving praise and encouragement. Legacy, Impact and Closing Remarks: The legacy, the ways in which Patricia’s life has left a lasting impact on those around her, goes on and on and on: her love of education, her love of the arts, her sense of embracing adventure, her civility, her ethic of kindness and responsibility, her resilience and enduring ability to find silver linings. It’s impossible to capture in words, all that Patricia was; there are so many wonderful qualities, so many contributions in the roles she played in her family life, her work life, as a volunteer, as a music and arts supporter, as a caring and involved member of the community. Her impact is immeasurable, particularly on her own kids, and on her own family, and will continue to be felt. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her memory remains alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Each of us formed our own set of treasured memories and a sense of who Patricia was to us. I’d like to invite you now to take a moment – to close your eyes, and to think about the Patricia you came to know. I’d like you to think about those qualities that impressed you, during your shared time together. Can you see, in your mind’s eye, instances when she displayed those qualities? Can you recall how they enhanced your life and the life of others? Hold those thoughts and images for just a little longer. I’d like to invite you to consider how you can incorporate, into your own life, one or two of those fine qualities that you particularly admired. How can you embody that quality in an intentional way? If we can each make this commitment, Pat’s legacy continues, through our future words and deeds. And as we return to this present moment, rather than ending this commemoration with a quote or poem in tribute to the spirit of Patricia, we are going to do so with a song.I’d like to ask my daughter, Aimee vanWynsberghe, join me at the podium, to sing a very special Irish blessing that her Aunt Pat loved dearly. Both Aimee, and her brother Erinn, were blessed to have had a special and close relationship with their Aunt Pat. I hope that the message of this Irish blessing will resonate with you as we appreciate how enriched we all have been with Pat as a part of our lives. Thank You Aimee – “ May The Road Rise Up To Meet You”.