Mary "Patsy" Dick

Patsy Dick died peacefully in the early hours of Saturday, November 10, 2012. The daughter of Whitmore and Mary (Nicholson) MacLean, she is survived by John, her husband of 50 years; sons Alan (Catherine), Matthew (Sarah), and Andrew; grandsons David and Liam; brothers Guy (Judy) and Dick (Kirsten) MacLean; and sister-in-law Barbara Flewelling (David). After graduation from Sydney Academy, Patsy trained as a medical technician and was on the staff of hospital laboratories in Sydney, Halifax and London, Ontario. She travelled widely on her own in Europe and was for an extended period an au pair with a family in France. In Sydney, she was a member of Saint Andrew’s Church, leader of the CGIT, and an accomplished church organist. In Halifax, she became a faithful member of Fort Massey Church and a long-time supporter of a number of charitable organizations, notably UNICEF, where she served on the executive and for which she continued to work even when restricted to her home in a wheelchair. For many years Patsy endured the ravages of a debilitating illness with dignity and grace. She had the steadfast support of her husband John who took early retirement to become her sole caregiver. She remained a cheerful friend, great company and a wise counsel to relatives, friends, neighbours and their children, all of whom will remember her with love.

A memorial service conducted by The Reverend Trent D. Cleveland-Thompson will be held in Fort Massey United Church, corner of Queen and Tobin Streets, on Thursday, November 15, at 3 pm. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 14, 6-8 pm at Cruikshank’s Halifax Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street.

Donations to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or UNICEF would be gratefully appreciated.