Mrs. Patricia Elinore Constance Malone

It is with heavy hearts we announce the sudden passing of Patricia, on October 23, 2019, in Toronto, at home without illness or suffering. Beloved wife of Howard Michael Malone, mother of Kelly Lynne Vermeer (Raymond Freebury) and loving grandmother to Holly Summer and Ryley Skye.

Pat was born January 14th, 1940 to Lillian Bell of Alabama and Lorne Kirkwood of Toronto. She met the love of her life, Howard, while working at the Heinz Booth at the Canadian National Exhibition. She was 16 years old when they met and they went on to share 63 years of love and respect. Pat was educated at North Toronto Collegiate, where she was also a cheerleader. She went onto Victoria College at The University of Toronto to pursue her undergraduate degree and she continued her cheerleading. After her second year university she and Howard were married and they moved westbound to Portage La Prarie, Manitoba, where Howard was placed with the RCAF to complete his advanced flight training as a pilot. Pat supported Howard’s career when he was transferred to Centralia Air Force base they moved to London, Ontario. It was at this time she enrolled at The University of Western Ontario and completed her undergraduate degree. She went onto to pursue a teachers certification at The University of Toronto. Her first teaching job was at Strathroy Secondary School in London, Ontario. She moved fast up the ranks and became the Head of the Home Economics department. When Howard finished his commitment to the Royal Canadian Airforce he moved them back to Toronto. Pat was offered a teaching position at Queensborough Junior High. in 1969 Pat became pregnant with Kelly, and was forced to give up her teaching because maternity leave wasn’t available. She didn’t let this slow her down and created her own company, Nifty Knits. She taught out of the home and also developed the first Canadian bilingual sewing patterns for stretch fabrics. She also pursued a position within the Toronto Home Economics Association (THEA) and by 1985 became the president. Pat was chosen as the project leader when THEA twinned with The Caribbean Home Economic Association (CIDA) and initiated an international project to develop text books for the Caribbean islands. The text books replaced antiquated ones from the UK and the USA which didn’t reflect Caribbean lifestyle. Pat made many trips down to the Caribbean and set up a series of workshops with the different nations involved. This was a huge responsibility and was very successful with the text books being published internationally. She was invited to present a talk about the Caribbean Project to the World Bank in New York, USA. This work was deeply satisfying for Pat and she retained many close relationships with the people she worked with in the Caribbean.

Pat continued with her studies and went to OISE to complete her degree in Masters of Education. She continued teaching and worked at Lester B Pearson Collegiate Institute, Woburn Collegiate and Dr Norman Bethune Collegiate. Pat also continued to travel extensively with Howard, as his employment with Air Canada as a pilot took them all around the world. They shared great adventures with friends wine tasting throughout Europe or visiting with Pat's uncle, Dr Jamieson Bell in the far east. They ventured to Laos, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Borneo at a time when it was very uncommon.

Pat stayed very active throughout her life and had a membership at The Fitness Institute followed later on by a membership at Curves. She was always interested in ways to improve her health and pursued interests in aromatherapy and reflexology. She was always willing to offer great massages. Pat also enjoyed weekly workouts of yoga and practiced with the same instructor for over 30 years. She felt very strongly about keeping her mind young and was an avid reader, bridge player and loved a game of Sudoku. After Howie's retirement in 2000, Pat was happy to stay close her home in Don Mills of over 50 years and to enjoy her relationship with her daughter and her grandchildren and their two Westhighland White Terriers.

The family will receive friends at Rosar-Morrison Funeral Home & Chapel, 467 Sherbourne Street, Toronto, for visitation on Sunday, November 3, 2019, from 1 – 5 p.m. A Funeral Service will take place in the Chapel, Monday, November 4, at 12:30 p.m. In Lieu of flowers, if desired, please donate to a charity of your choice with the donation in Pat’s name.