Pat Rafferty

Written by Tracy Rafferty, daughter-in-law, based on an interview with Pat (2022)

There’s no denying, Pat Leahy was special, right from her birth on June 9, 1935. She was born with a veil, which is said to be a spiritual sign, signifying greatness, understanding, and abilities beyond the norm. Her caring and helpful nature developed into becoming a classroom helper, with a desire to become a nurse from a young age. She loved math and spelling and won a lot of spelling bees! She was even able to combine grades 3 and 4 into one year, so Pat was a year younger than everyone else when she started high school at East York Collegiate. She would cook, sew, knit, and do fancy needlework with her mom. Her dad called her “Dolly”. Unfortunately, her mother fell ill during this time, and they all moved in with her older sister Susie, Jimmie, and their daughter Janie. She shared a room with Janie and tended to her mom with Susie, fulfilling duties as a nurse, although she never went on to practise this vocation.

Pat’s first job was with Price Air Conditioning, a company that came to her high school, looking for summer students who could type. Her next summer job was clerical work at R&S Statistical, a company that did insurance renewals worldwide. Her work involved fixing defective punch cards. This is where she met Jim Rafferty, who did the insurance reports on the computer, at a time when computers were just emerging in Canada. Jim was very shy, so he didn’t bother much, even when they attended a company picnic, though they danced on the boat ride home after the picnic. It wasn’t until Pat’s summer job ended, that Jim asked her out to a movie at the Palace Theatre. As they courted, he would travel an hour in each direction, once a week to see her, and they would go fishing for the day.

When Pat finished high school, she would work for McClintock Homes, typing the Offers to Purchase. Prior to this, the offers were all being handwritten, and houses were selling like hotcakes in various subdivisions! She and Jim saved what they could, and were able to purchase their first home, to move into once they were married. Since it was through McClintock’s and they all knew and liked Pat, some special things were done in the house, such as nice tiles, plaster design, and even coloured fixtures in the bathroom! All the men got together to buy them a wringer-washer, too. Who knew, one day she would unknowingly be using that machine to launder the money that Jim won at a card game the night before!

Pat’s mother had passed away before the wedding, and, to keep family and work separate, Pat began working at a flooring company, which later became Floorco. She was able to take on more of the bookkeeping work and went to Don Mills Collegiate part-time to get her accounting certificate. On Saturdays, Susie would bring Judy by for the day and Pat would keep her entertained. She taught Sunday School at Parkway Bible Church and began curling with the Business Girls at Avonlea, eventually becoming President of that branch.

On the day JFK was shot, Pat learned she was expecting Michael. When he was born, she was so amazed with him, she kept counting all his fingers and toes! She never stopped being his number one fan, from that day forward, and would often be heard proudly introducing him to a new acquaintance, for the rest of her years. She knew all his friends and took an interest in each of them, often asking after them when events took place. When Michael married Tracy, she was quick to say she gained a daughter, always scratching out the “in-law” on cards. Pat and Tracy enjoyed a lot of theatre shows together and talked at great length.

When she became a Nana, nothing could beat a “Nana Day”! For Jess, it was gymnastics, Zellers for lunch and shopping, and Chuck E. Cheese in the afternoons. For Nick, it was McDonald’s and Chuck E. Cheese. She personally saw to it that they took swimming lessons, seeing Nick right through to becoming a lifeguard. Nana Days were great for Tracy and Michael too, as his laundry would be done and folded, and a nice hot meal would be waiting for them at the end of the workday! Family meant so much to Pat and she meant so much to them. The grandchildren are forever bonded to her by their special ”Nana Day” experiences, and she wouldn’t have missed those days for anything.

In addition, she played a key role in their vocations: Jess accompanied Pat in an ambulance when she was transported to have stents inserted after her heart attack. Jess interviewed the paramedics while in the back with them and immediately became interested in pursuing this career. Now she is a Toronto Paramedic and has crossed paths with the one she had met that day. She has even been dispatched to pick up her Nana on more than one occasion! Michael ended up learning the hardwood floor trade from

Pat’s employer and Nick naturally took to the trades as well, recently launching his career in HVAC.

Over her life, Pat developed many hobbies: camping, square-dancing, ceramics, photography, flower arranging, and adult colouring. She continued to support her community by volunteering at Thompson House with the Alzheimer’s day program. She was an avid Christian her entire life, always open to learning how others practise religion to better her own journey.

Cottaging was very special to her. She helped build at Hay Bay with Jim and watched as Michael built at Rice Lake. She would spend hours burning fallen leaves and branches. She completely loved the serenity of the lake, with the wildlife, especially the birds.

When it comes to animals, Pat absolutely loved cats! Especially Siamese cats. Her first cat was a Siamese she named Caesar. She loved him so much, that her second cat was also a Siamese, who she named Caesar. Her third cat was different from the others, he was a blue point Siamese. But she still named him Caesar. All of Pat’s cats lived into their 20s. After Caesar the third, it was a difficult decision due to her own age; however, Pat ended up getting one more cat. She went back to the seal point Siamese variety, but, you guessed it…his name is Caesar!!! Caesar the fourth is now living with Michael and Tracy, and has settled in over the past couple of months. They cannot replace Pat in his life but will do their best to continue to care for him as she did.

Pat had a long run, as she died less than one month from her 89th birthday. Her life touched many along her path. Those who knew her would always refer to her as kind, generous, and caring. A very special lady, indeed, as foreshadowed by being born in a veil!

The family would like to thank the many individuals who have been especially supportive to Pat over the past few years. They do not want in any way to leave anyone off, so rather than naming names, please know that the eye drops, the phone calls, the visits, the messages, the cat-sitting, and the prayers, were all appreciated beyond words. What was given to Pat can only be explained by what she has given to others, and we know her “specialness” will be remembered, always.

Memories of my Aunt Patsy who was more like a sister to me.

Written by Janie Brooks

To everyone else, Pat Rafferty was known as Pat, but to the family she was Patsy.

Our Mother Susie was 21 when her youngest sibling Patsy was born. Patsy knew me from infancy, being 12 when I was born. When she was 14 her Mother, my Grandmother, was very ill and she and her parents moved into our family home on Ferris Rd. in East York. Patsy would share a room with me, a toddler, in that home and 2 years later when we moved to 54 Shangarry Drive in Scarborough. This would be the beginning of our close relationship and our becoming more like sisters than Aunt and niece.

During her teen years, while living in our home, there would be a radical change in my Dad’s life. Our family, including Patsy, would become involved in Calvary Church on Pape Avenue. We all met some wonderful, caring people there. Patsy would meet her good friend Jean there and they would take the Sunday School Teacher Training course together. Jean would be Patsy’s Maid of Honour when she married, as Patsy would be hers. When I married, Patsy would be my Matron of Honour.

Patsy was 18 when her Mother passed away, an extremely difficult time for Patsy. She and her Mother were very close as they did everything together. Patsy and her father would continue to live with us, Patsy until she married, and her father until he passed away many years later when Michael was just 3. Patsy and Jim were married at Calvary Church in 1954 moving into their new home in Scarborough. They became involved in the neighbourhood Church Plant of Calvary Church, Parkway Bible Church, where Patsy would teach Sunday School. Circumstances often change as time passes. Many years later Patsy would be so pleased when Jess and Nick would be part of the summer day Camp there for a number of years.

Patsy was always interesting to talk to. She was a wise, intelligent woman, working as a Bookkeeper all of her life and very good at everything she did. She had beautiful and distinct penmanship. Patsy enjoyed CFRB talk shows on current issues, politics, economics and was always up on what was going on. Patsy and Jim were a very generous, hospitable couple and I was often the recipient of their generosity.

We didn’t get to spend nearly enough time together over the years, but we were very close, doing life together mostly on the phone. She was always such an encouragement and cheerleader for me. Not only did she take an interest in her nieces but in our children, as a Great Aunt and then their children as a Great-Great Aunt. Indeed, she was great in so many ways. I learned from her example what being an Aunt looked like. We shared the same kind of Mother’s Heart as our Mothers and understood each other.

Throughout our lives we would have conversations about the deep things of life and faith, as I did with Jim in later years. Being born in the Springtime she loved the beauty of God’s handiwork in nature, both of us loving a little poem that I had shared with her many years ago.

Said the robin to the sparrow

I should really like to know

Why these anxious human beings

Rush around and worry so.

Said the sparrow to the robin

I should think that it must be,

That they have no Heavenly Father

Such as cares for you and me.

Patsy knew of God’s love and care for her, having known the Lord Jesus as her personal Saviour from her teen years. As her world was becoming increasingly darker and she was losing her sight, we often prayed together on the phone. She was very thankful for the love and attentive care of Michael, Tracy, Jess and Nick knowing they lived close by but was concerned not wanting to be a burden to them. She never gave up as hard as it was, continuing to ask God for His help, believing and confident that He would be with her to the end.

Based on what we know to be true in the Bible, Patsy is now in heaven where there is no more darkness because Jesus is the light. We can never piggy back on another’s faith in God, but may her faith in God, inspire others to believe for themselves.

In the words of the song writer.

O may all who come behind us find us faithful;

May the fire of our devotion light their way,

May the footsteps that we leave,

Lead them to believe.

Patsy was a big part of my life, all my life, and I will miss her. Judy and I loved Patsy and were blessed to be her nieces.

Janie Brooks

May 31, 2024