Patricia Marie Parish

Patricia “Trish” Parish, age 83, passed away peacefully in her home on September 7, 2026. A devoted follower of Christ, loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Trish lived a life centered on faith, service, compassion, and unconditional love.

Born on April 14, 1943, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Trish was the beloved daughter of Phyllis and Mathew Hawkins. She graduated from Pickering High School and moved to the United States as a young woman. Determined and hardworking, she worked multiple jobs to help support her family and ultimately built a successful career in computer sales, including her work with Hallmark Electronics and Network Education Center in Tampa, Florida. She later co-owned a real estate housing business with her beloved companion, Gary Miller, combining her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others.

Trish's greatest calling was serving the Lord and caring for others. After becoming a born-again Christian, she was baptized in 1985 at Countryside Christian Center. Her faith was reflected not only in what she believed, but in the way she lived every day. An active member of her church, she volunteered extensively throughout her life, serving as a Guardian ad Litem, visiting nursing home residents, praying with those who were lonely or hurting, and supporting ministries that served people in need. Alongside her beloved companion, Gary Miller, she faithfully spent Saturday mornings for many years preparing and serving meals to those experiencing homelessness, offering not only food but also prayer, encouragement, and companionship. She also ministered to listeners through The JOY FM, providing hope and support during difficult times. Trish opened her heart and often her home to others, including Christina, a very special young girl whom she loved and embraced as her own. Through her servant's heart and unwavering faith, she shared Christ's love with everyone she encountered.

Those who knew Trish remember her as a woman with a heart full of tenderness, compassion, and selfless love. She always put the needs of others before her own and continually sought ways to encourage, uplift, and comfort those around her. Whether through prayer, a thoughtful visit, a warm meal, a poem, or a simple act of kindness, she left a lasting impact on everyone she met.

Trish had a zest for life and enjoyed gardening, dancing, collecting angel figurines, feeding deer and other wildlife, and spending time with family and friends. A published author, Trish expressed her faith, love, and appreciation for life through her writing. She shared her gift for words in her poetry book, A Witness of Love, leaving behind a lasting testament to her faith and the values she held dear. She brought joy, warmth, and positivity wherever she went. A lover of music and dancing, Trish found one of life's greatest blessings when she met the love of her life, Gary Miller, while dancing at a Polish club. Together they shared a special bond filled with joy, laughter, friendship, and cherished memories. Their love brought happiness and companionship that enriched her life immeasurably.

Above all, Trish cherished her family. She was a devoted mother who raised her children with wisdom, faith, kindness, and unwavering support. She welcomed others into her family without hesitation and made people feel loved, accepted, and valued. Her daughter-in-law Jennifer shared that Trish was not only a beloved mother-in-law but a true mother whose encouragement, acceptance, and guidance were priceless gifts. Her son Paul shared that she blessed his life beyond measure with a pure heart filled with unconditional love, tenderness, and compassion and left behind a lifetime of memories that he will cherish forever.

Debbie shared that she cherished her mother's selfless love and her remarkable gift of always putting others first and finding ways to help those in need. Nicole shared that Trish was her hero, her source of strength, and the strongest woman she had ever known. She taught Nicole what it means to love unconditionally, endure life's challenges with grace, and keep moving forward with courage and faith. Trish will forever remain Nicole's greatest role model and will live on in her heart.

Her grandson, Caleb Coats, remembers Trish as a guiding light and source of unconditional love whose wisdom and example he will carry in his heart forever. Her sister, Julie Barriage, shared that Trish will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for her warmth, her faith, and the love she gave so freely to her family. Julie cherishes the memories of long conversations, treasured visits, and the special way Trish brought everyone together. Those memories will remain in her heart forever.

Her beloved companion, Gary Miller, shared that Trish was a caring, kind, compassionate, accepting, nonjudgmental, and beautiful woman whose warmth touched everyone fortunate enough to know her. He often joked that Caleb was the apple of her eye, which made him a little jealous at times, but it was another reflection of the immense love she carried in her heart for those she cherished most.

Trish is survived by her son, Paul McMahon and his wife, Jennifer; her daughters, Debbie McMahon and Nicole Goodwin; Debbie's fiancé, Dan; her grandson, Caleb Coats; her sister, Julie Barriage; her beloved companion, Gary Miller; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends whose lives were touched by her love and generosity.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Phyllis and Mathew Hawkins; her sister, Joan Pilniuk and husband Rudy; her brothers, Edwin Hawkins and wife Estelle, Michael Hawkins, and Jackie Hawkins; and her brother-in-law, Ron Barriage.

Though her family grieves her loss, they rejoice in knowing she is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she loved so dearly. Trish's legacy of faith, compassion, generosity, service, and unconditional love will continue through all who were blessed to know her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her caring spirit, unwavering faith, and the countless lives she touched through her kindness.

Funeral services celebrating Trish's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on September 27, 2026, at Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home.

Well done, good and faithful servant. ❤️