Patricia Maureen Hines

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia (Patsy) Maureen Hines, who died peacefully in the late hours of April 1st at the QE11 Health Sciences Centre.

Born in Glace Bay and raised in Reserve Mines, Cape Breton, Patsy was the daughter of the late Wilfred and Cecilia (nee Murphy) Hines.

Patsy is survived by her siblings, Theresa (late Art) Bennett of Reserve Mines, Roy (Judy) Hines of Ottawa and Margaret (Robert) Caume of Halifax, sisters-in laws Anna Hines and Alyne Hines. She was predeceased by her brothers Terry Hines of Edmonton and Martin Hines of Brampton. She was integral to the lives to her 12 nieces and nephews and she loved them all completely and unconditionally.

Patsy graduated in 1953 from Saint Anne’s High School in Glace Bay (first prize in Latin!). She entered the Sisters of Charity at eighteen and pursued a career in teaching (BEd, MSVU) and later an MEd in Special Education from Columbia University in New York. Patsy was a dedicated and compassionate resource teacher and a loving mentor to countless students in the United States, and throughout almost 30 years of work with the former Halifax School Board. Patsy’s love of teaching didn’t end with her retirement. She continued to be active in her church where she taught Sunday School for many years at St. Lawrence Parish and she was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Benedict Parish. Patsy also volunteered teaching reading and literacy skills to adults and new immigrants.

Patsy was fiercely independent and loved to travel, and travel she did! She’s been through Eastern and Western Europe, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, Greece, Iceland and throughout the Caribbean, to name only a few. She was always excited to experience new places, meet new people and see as much of this planet as she could; and she always did this with youthful exuberance. She could also be talked into getting on a roller coaster or two.

Most important to Patsy were her family and her close network of friends. She had a knack of keeping up with so many relatives and extended family members and never forgot a birthday! Patsy adored her family and spending time with her brothers and sisters, her nieces and nephews and her many great nieces and nephews. She always seemed happiest, at a family dinner (especially a BBQ) surrounded by her relatives or friends, with lots of conversation and laughter.

The family would like to thank the staff on the 8th floor at QE 11 for their compassionate care of Patsy and Nurse practitioner Sarah Bussey.

She will be forever missed and remain in our hearts.

Visitation will be at J. A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive on Saturday, April 6th from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. Funeral will take place at Saint Benedict Church on Monday, April 8th at 10:30 am. Reception to follow at church.

Donations in Patsy’s can be made to the Cape Breton or Halifax Food Bank