Patricia 'Pat' Elizabeth Foran

FORAN, Patricia Elizabeth – 77, died unexpectedly but peacefully Thursday, April 4 at the Halifax Infirmary. Pat was born March 21, 1936, the youngest daughter of the late Pauline Sarah (Lanigan) Fry and John R. Fry. Mom had endless patience and was quick to love. People of all walks of life were drawn to her and she had a special ability to connect with them. Her purest gift was the ease with which she loved others and gave of herself so freely. Mom attended the Halifax Vocational School following which she worked in the CBC Public Relations Department in Halifax. Mom was always a little before her time. In 1960 she accepted a job with the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and moved to New York City where she first worked for the Province and later at Bloomingdales in Manhattan. Later, Mom drove cross-country to California where she lived and worked in San Francisco until returning home at the time of her own mother’s death. It was shortly after her return to Halifax and the Nova Scotia Travel Bureau when Mom met Dad and the two were married on March 3, 1962 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. After establishing her family Mom returned to work at Twin City Management, and finally The Construction Association of Nova Scotia. Mom left work after turning fifty. It was then she finally took her opportunity to attend university when she studied at Mount Saint Vincent. Mom was active in the World Wide Marriage Encounter and the CLC. She made numerous silent retreats at the Jesuit Retreat House in Guelph, Ontario; the Sisters of St. Martha’s Bethany Motherhouse in Antigonish, and The Sisters of Charity Motherhouse in Halifax. Mom had a special devotion to Mary and made three pilgrimages to Medjugorje, once during they Balkan War. Mom was an active practitioner of the faith in Parish life and was a Eucharistic Minister. She was alao involved in RCIA programs and marriage preparation courses. Mom was thrilled with the election of Pope Francis. Mom was also involved with L’Arche Halifax. In early days Mom had been a member of the Aquinas Club, a group for young adults at St. Thomas Aquinas. Mom was a skater and a swimmer and she worked with children in programs at the YMCA. Mom demonstrated quiet courage throughout her life. Mom shared the strength of her relationship with God. She loved life and to laugh. Mom never found fault or complained. She deeply loved and was proud of her children and her grandchildren. She shared her love, her faith, and the countless little gifts that went with her insatiable desire to give presents. Mom is survived by her husband of 51 years, Ken; her children, Stephen (Lynda), Peter, Michael (Cathy Keating), Janice, and Gregory (Jocelyn), Port Williams; grandchildren, Nicholas, Stephanie, Conor, Riley, Cameron, Charles, and Abraham, and her brother, Tony (Cathy), Toronto. Pat was predeceased by her twin brother Peter and her brothers, John, Frank, William, and Donald; her sisters, Helen, Jean, and Peggy. The family would like to express special thanks to Dr. Ernest B. Johnson for his care. Visitation will be in Snow's Funeral home on Lacewood Drive, Sunday at 2:00-4:00 pm and 7:00-9:00 pm. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Monday, at 10:00 am by Father Owen Connelly. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. Internment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Daily Bread Outreach, Saint Mary's Cathedral Basilica, 1531 Grafton St., Halifax. Family flowers only, please.