Patricia Mary Stone

Patricia Mary Stone was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Patricia always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Patricia was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

       Her parents were Thomas and Margaret O'Brien. Patricia was raised in Bell Island, Newfoundland. Always able to express herself well, Patricia possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Patricia was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Patricia was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Patricia was raised with 15 siblings. She had seven sister's, Mary, Rita, Ellen, Margaret, Jean, Marie and Cathy and eight brother's, Jim, Bill, Tom, Richard, Patrick, Kevin, Mike and John. Patricia had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

      As a young child, Patricia showed her creative ability in many ways. She was outgoing and animated. Patricia enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. She was a "Child of Mary". In her spare time she liked dancing and reading books.

      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Patricia was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. Her curious nature was spurred by her ability to maximize her personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. She was good with facts and had an excellent memory. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Monica Bone.

      Friends and acquaintances found Patricia an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Patricia was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. While growing up, her best friends were her family.

      On November 22, 1969 Patricia exchanged wedding vows with Donald J. Stone at St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, Cambridge(Preston), Ontario. Patricia was attentive to Donald's feelings, and she charmed Donald and others with her gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Patricia was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

      Very much like a kid herself, Patricia identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Patricia was blessed with three children (Boys), sons Kevin, Brian and Donny. They were also blessed with five grandchildren and another one on the way, Thomas, Eric, Keegan, Gavin and Madeline.

      Patricia was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Patricia’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Patricia was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Patricia could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in her work environment. Her primary occupation was General Labourer. She was employed for 40 years at Hostess Frito-Lay.

      Patricia enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were Irish dancing and watching her favorite baseball team the Toronto Blue Jays. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

      Because she liked to take risks, Patricia was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included bowling. Patricia was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list was baseball.

      Patricia held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to her. She was a member of St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church for 45 years. During that time, she was going to church.

      Travel and vacations were experiences that Patricia truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included going to Newfoundland.

      Patricia passed away on May 6, 2012 at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener, Ontario from Liver Disease. She is survived by her husband Donald, children Kevin, Brian and Donny; grandchildren Thomas, Eric, Keegan, Gavin and Madeline and by her mother Margaret O'Brien. Services were held at St. Clement's Roman Catholic Church, Cambridge, Ontario. Patricia was laid to rest in Park Lawn Cemetery, Cambridge, Ontario.

      Patricia was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Patricia had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Patricia Mary Stone.

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Passed away peacefully at Grand River Hospital, Kitchener. Ontario on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at age 63. Beloved wife of Donald Stone for 42 years. Loving mother of Kevin and his wife Lisa, Brian and his wife Annette, Donald and his wife Jaime. Dearly loved Grandmother of Thomas, Eric, Keegan, Gavin, Madeline and a new baby Stone soon to be born. Dear daughter of Margaret O’Brien. Also survived by sister’s Margaret, Jeanie, Marie and brother’s Jim, Bill, Tom, Richard, Mike, Kevin, Patrick and John. Predeceased by her father Thomas O’Brien and sister’s Ellen, Rita, Mary and Cathy. The family will receive friends at the Barthel Funeral Home, 566 Queenston Road, Cambridge on Wednesday May 9, 2012 from 2-4pm & 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Clement’s Roman Catholic Church, 745 Duke Street, Cambridge, on Thursday May 10, 2012 at 11am. Interment to follow at Park Lawn Cemetery, Cambridge. As expressions of sympathy, donations to the Kidney Foundation of Ontario would be appreciated by the family.