Patricia Strauss

Patricia Strauss (née Griffith), born August 17 1936 in Humboldt SK, was sent to her eternal home on October 16, 2025 at New Horizons Tower in Toronto, due to postoperative complications following a hip fracture brought on by an unfortunate fall. She was 89. The family is profoundly saddened by her death.

Patricia is predeceased by her husband Ernst Hans, her parents James Stuart Griffith and Grayce Margaret Griffith, elder brother, Dr. John Griffith, and brothers-in-law Wilf Meagher and Gerhard Strauss, and sister-in-law Marlies Strauss, and cousin-in-law Detlef Voigt. And also by friends Rose Hebib and Dorothy Thompson.

She is survived and missed by her brothers Stuart (Lucero) and Peter (Elinor) Griffith, her sister Heather Meagher, her sister-in-law Shirley Griffith, and their respective families, with many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews; by her children Heidi (Jeremy) and John (Helen). Cherished and remembered by three grandchildren who brought her immense pleasure - Liam, Max (Samantha) and Chloe (Nadine), and by Hans's nephews Friedrich (Sonngard) and Mathias (Dagmar), his niece Cornelia, his cousin Detlef's children Theresa and Carla, and their families. She will be also missed by close friends Sheila Milne, Karen Brennan, and Jackie Moffat.

Patricia spent her early years in Kindersley SK, where her grandfather Clem Reid owned the general store. During WWII, the family lived in Antigonish NS for a time. Though her early school years were challenging, through her mother Grayce she developed a love of books.

Pat found a vocation in nursing - her initial diploma was with University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing Charter Class in 1957. This was followed by a Diploma in Public Health Nursing (Toronto, 1963) and a BScN (McGill,1969). In her twenties, she worked at Regina General Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital (Beverly Hills, CA), New York Neurological Institute (Columbia Presbyterian Hospital), and did private duty nursing in London, England.

She returned to Canada to work at the Montreal Neurological Institute, and Alexandra Hospital for Infectious Diseases (Montreal). In 1965, while a student at McGill, Pat had missed a class in European Modern history. She needed to catch up, saw a studious-looking student, and asked to borrow his notes - this was her future husband Hans. They were married in 1966, honeymooned at the Stratford Festival, and moved to Sudbury in 1967 where Hans found work, and so they could be close to Stuart and Grayce. Pat worked at the Sudbury Memorial Hospital in cardiac ICU and as an evening nursing supervisor. In 1979, she moved to the Sudbury and District Public Health Unit where she was a Senior Nurse in Maternal and Child Health; she supported prenatal care, single mothers and a school program. From 1986 to 1996 she was the Coordinator for Communicable Disease Control, the most interesting job of her career.

Pat then went on to practice family nursing -- supporting her mother Grayce into her 90's and Hans's heart health until his death in 2019. Following a diagnosis of dementia, Pat moved to New Horizons Tower in Toronto to be closer to family.

Patricia was a quietly spiritual person who took action when there was need, and brought joy to the dispirited. She put others at ease with her signature laugh, her kind voice and her quick understanding. Pat had many enduring friendships, loved special occasions, including celebrating birthdays. She learned from Grayce skill in sewing, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting and other crafts, often giving them to family members. Pat enjoyed nature - lakes, rain, thunder, birdsong, beaches, seashells, and all manner of flowers. She liked family swims and walks, and warm summer days at the Deer Lake camp, where she maintained a logbook of family experiences spanning decades. Patricia enjoyed travel including trips to Spain/England with Heather, and to Germany and Mexico with family. She enjoyed road trips if the time in the car was limited. Patricia loved the arts. She loved Shakespeare, and Thomas Merton. Pat relished the family reading Dickens at Christmas, as her father Stuart had done for his children. A prolific correspondent, Patricia maintained analog mail communications with family in North America and Germany until late 2024.

In Sudbury, Patricia was an active member of the parish of St. Andrew the Apostle, and later St. Patrick's Church. She was thankful for her good fortune and taught her children to remember their blessings. She was conscious of those in need, and generous with charities. Pat volunteered at the Sudbury Food Bank in her retirement.

Patricia was a singular and beautiful person who freely shared her wonder, joy and mirth with others. She found a purpose in helping people, and continued to do so into her last days. Pat was constant as the North Star. She gave others the benefit of the doubt and assumed that everyone was trying their best. Pat believed that despite the darkness, "it is still a beautiful world". As Catherine Darcy said, "We are all lessened without her."

A Catholic memorial service will be held on November 16th at 2pm at Jerrett Funeral Homes - St. Clair Chapel, 1141 St. Clair Ave W. According to her wishes, she will rest with Hans in Sudbury.

To watch the livestream of Patricia's memorial service, please use this link: https://vimeo.com/1137766626/f98bbeac69

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sudbury Food Bank. Donate – Banque d'aliments Sudbury Food Bank