Patricia Lynn Matthews

Patricia, also known as “Pat, Trish, or Tricia” was born on Oct. 8th, 1952, in Inverness Cape Breton, to the late Neil Jerome (Jerry) and Marjorie (Fraser) Murphy. Her family moved to Halifax when she was seven from Port Hood, Cape Breton.

Patricia graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1971 and went on to complete a Bachelor of Home Economics degree at Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, graduating in 1974. She began her lifelong pursuit of interior design and decorating at the former Offman’s Furniture store on Spring Garden Road, Halifax followed by Simpson-Sears who recruited her as a consultant for its custom drapery and bedding division. She left there to launch Lifestyle Interiors in 1983.

Patricia’s successful business career was focused on Lifestyle Interiors for more than 40 years, serving both commercial and a largely high-end residential clientele both nationally and internationally, including Italy, Mexico and Florida. Her innovation in drapery design earned her a gold award from the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators’ Association.

With her creative vision, mastery of colour, painstaking attention to detail and tasteful aesthetic, combined with her ability to interpret customers’ needs and preferences and translate those to their space, she was highly sought after and was still working shortly before she died.

She was a very strong woman whose resilience, determination and strength of character were reflected in the duration of her battle with cancer. At the time of her death, she had survived for almost seven years, far surpassing the two-year projected timeline she was told when first diagnosed.

She redefined life with cancer, living life to the fullest with many interesting trips, cruises with her husband, and multiple gatherings of her many friends. Throughout this difficult period, despite warnings from her medical team, she lived as if there was nothing wrong with her. Her palliative care team referred to her as a rock star who continued to surprise them up to her death.

Patricia remained socially active within her broad circle of friends, supporting others despite her own circumstances. She continued to travel as much as possible, most recently venturing to Bermuda with her husband for Christmas.

Her health took a downward turn shortly after she was discharged from hospital in late February. But she continued to fight to the end of her life despite the ravages of the disease, leaving on her own terms.

She is survived by her husband, Captain, RCN (Retd) Anthony (Tony) Goode, Halifax; stepson Jonathan (Jon) Goode, his wife, Marta Zoladek, and their daughter, Emilia Goode, Toronto; and her beloved felines, Loretta Lynn and Maxine.

She was predeceased by her first husband Michael Matthews, Halifax; and stepson Charles Goode, Quebec.

The family would like to thank Patricia’s extensive health care team, including her Palliative Care team led by Dr. Caitlin Lees and Mitch Devoe and the incredible staff at Hospice Halifax for their dedicated and compassionate care.

Pat chose cremation, which has already taken place; her burial arrangements will be announced soon. A service celebrating her life will take place on 2nd May 2026 at 2:00pm at the J A Snow Funeral Home on Lacewood Drive to be followed by a remembrance gathering at the Curve, 1581 South Park Street shortly afterwards. The service will be guided by Chaplain, the Reverend Derrick Marshall, Dean of the Order of St. George.

Donations in her memory can be made to the Halifax Hospice and the Halifax SPCA.