Tribute Wall
In Memory of
Patricia Marilyn MacKay
1924 - 2019
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Randall Britton posted a condolence
Sunday, January 17, 2021
I am so sorry to find belatedly of the passing of my dear friend Pat. The return of my Christmas card triggered my search and discovery of the information. My friend Terry and I met her and her friend Lorraine some years ago on a European river cruise. We became fast friends and stayed in touch over the years, Pat was a joy to know because of her enthusiasm for life and her devotion to her family, friends and the cause of making the world a better place. I know she lived life to the fullest so I celebrate that and not her passing though I know she will be missed by all. Let me add to the many voices whose life was made a bit richer for having known her. I commend you to a well deserved rest but somehow I know you will continue to be a force to be reckoned with!
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Mercedes Watson posted a condolence
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Pat was a friend and supporter to Dixon Hall for decades. Those at Dixon Hall who knew her described her as smart, strong and caring, especially of the young participants in our Children and Youth department. She created ways to have everyone feel included and have their needs met. Pat was also known to be a passionate supporter of our Seniors' department and participated in the Toronto Challenge with her daughter. Last year, Pat supported every senior who participated in the walk.
The Dixon Hall family wished to extend our condolences to Pat’s family at this difficult time of loss. It is never easy to accept the passing of anyone who contributed so generously, and who focused on doing good for so many. We will be forever grateful that Pat opened her heart to our agency.
On behalf of our Board and staff, and all of those who had the pleasure of benefiting from Pat's contributions over the years,
Mercedes Watson, CEO
Dixon Hall
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Elizabeth Bennett-Martin posted a condolence
Monday, October 21, 2019
So sorry to learn of this news today October 21, 2019. I am the co-chair of CLEW (Cambodia Legal Education for Women). Pat was a tremendous help to CLEW over the last few years and also to me personally when we started CLEW over 10 years ago. I am so deeply sorry to hear of her passing. Heaven has definitely gained another angel. My sincerest condolences to Pat's family and extended family. Hugs. xo Elizabeth Bennett-Martin
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Sue Ennis lit a candle
Friday, October 18, 2019
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My condolences to Pat's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, of whom she was so proud.
Pat was such an inspiration to so many people, generous with her time and her ideas. Always positive and encouraging.
She will be deeply missed.
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Pamela Broley donated to HEART AND STROKE FOUNDATION OF CANADA / FONDATION DES MALADIES DU COEUR ET DE L'AVC DU CANADA
Tuesday, October 15, 2019
In memory of Patricia MacKay a truly amazing person
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Gary R Wright posted a condolence
Friday, October 11, 2019
My Dearest and heartfelt sympathy to the family of Patricia.
She was a very generous and wonderful lady.
Gary R. Wright
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Jane Bunnett posted a condolence
Thursday, October 10, 2019
How fortunate our family( the Bunnett,s ) were to know this force of energy...Pat Mackey.
She never ..ever hesitated to get involved in the projects that we were pursuing. She always had a brilliant angle ..how to open a door....or do the impossible...which did not seem to exist in her world.
She was encouraging,positive...and again that..." don,t take NO for an answer" which l still hear in my head.
It was always inspiring to be in her presence...as we never failed to have thought provoking conversations.....especially about CUBA.
Having travelled there with Pat,my mom Mary..and Larry ...my husband...she made friends everywhere....especially on the topic for baseball!
She could pretty much..it seemed handle her self ...anywhere she went because of her curiosity and social awareness...
I learned so much from Pat.....and received so much positivity through people that were her wonderful friends too....she will never be forgotten..
Love to Pat Mackey....from Jane Bunnett
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Sarah Bunnett-Gibson posted a condolence
Thursday, October 10, 2019
What an inspiring life lived! I know as a family you will hear that over and over from all parts of your dynamic mother's full life!
I so respect the clear commitment she made in her life; her chosen values, and her generous actions to make our world a far better place. How did she manage to not lose her optimism? I am glad, and thankful, as a young girl and now as an older woman. That I have had the pleasure of knowing wonderful Pat! Blessings of comfort, peace and acceptance. May you each, in your own unique way, find great pride, even in your sorrow and loss, in this last chapter of her vibrant life, lived with true humanitarian values.
With caring for you all!
Sarah Bunnett-Gibson
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Jutta Mason posted a condolence
Wednesday, October 9, 2019
(From the Dufferin Grove October 2019 newsletter)
Park friend Pat MacKay: in memoriam, May 16, 1924 – Sept.23, 2019
From Jutta Mason: In 1994 a city staff friend suggested that we apply for a “Safe City” award from the Toronto Community Foundation. To our astonishment, we got the award, and a little group of us went to a ceremony at Metro Hall to pick up a cheque for $3000. But the biggest piece of luck that day was not the cheque. It was a little note that was passed along to us from further down the row as we were listening to David Crombie, the award ceremony speaker. The note said “I like what you’re doing and I think I can help you.” It was signed “Pat MacKay.” I looked down the row and got a friendly smile and a nod from an older woman sitting at the other end. A moment later some of the regular park kids who had come to the ceremony with us got into a noisy argument as they were going up a down escalator nearby, and I had to run out. Afterwards there was only time to quickly shake hands with Pat and exchange phone numbers. A few days later I called Pat and invited her to the park. We showed her all around and she met the kids, a rough and tough bunch who always came to the park on their own because their parents were working two jobs, or more.
We told Pat that we had ideas, but we couldn’t keep searching for people who would do wonderful park projects mostly for free. It turned out that Pat had been on quite a few boards and foundations. She offered to become our mentor in fundraising. With guidance from her, we got a grant of $10,000 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and that was the start of our grant-writing. Pat came through for us again, introducing us to the Maytree Foundation (they helped fund both of the bake-ovens and the rinkhouse wood stove) and the GH Wood Foundation (they helped fund the zamboni kitchen and the “Dan’s Table” seating area by the oven). After a while we jokingly adopted a nickname for Pat MacKay: we called her our fairy godmother.
Pat wrote this for the Dufferin Grove history page: “A banner day for me came in the summer of 1998, when Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor Hilary Weston visited the park. Her limo was welcomed by puppet characters on stilts, along with a concertina band with their top hats, leading the procession to a makeshift stage where the Queen Vic primary school steel band played the vice- regal salute. She stayed for a couple of hours. I recall the humour of Her Honour telling the school classes who were making pizza at the oven that her family, which owns Weston’s Bread and Loblaws, had ‘something to do with bread.’ Then when I left the park that day, there was the class of little kids waving to me, calling “good-bye Fairy Godmother,” – I guess someone had told them that’s who I was.”
Pat died last month, at 95. Right up to the end, she never stopped being interested in what was happening at Dufferin Grove Park – an enthusiastic park friend for twenty-five years.
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James Armstrong posted a condolence
Monday, October 7, 2019
Barbara and Joanne,
I am so sad to hear of Pat's passing. I have many great memories of Pat. She and Stuart were both so caring and generous to me. Stuart with his infectious humour and Pat with her fierce energy are key ingredients to our family - always.
Although I am unable to attend the memorial, my wife Jennifer and I would like to convey our condolences and love.
Jamie Armstrong (Victoria, BC).
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Alison Bowser-Overtveld posted a condolence
Sunday, October 6, 2019
I knew of Pat during the years I was growing up in Vancouver. We met, for the first time, Thanksgiving weekend in 1970, as I recall, at the Farm. I was studying at Queen's. Nine years later, after I completed my Journalism degree and had started my career, Pat mentored me on what was to become the beginning of my ongoing journey as a volunteer. Pat introduced me to a team in Ottawa that was rolling out an array of events dedicated to the 1979 International Year Of The Child. I wrote, edited and proofread thank-you letters. Whenever I called or emailed Pat at various intervals over the past 40 years to sound her out on my ideas, Pat offered guidance, encouragement and opportunities to explore different approaches and angles for my sometimes "unsolicited" proposals for good works. From Pat, I learned to look at my "how-could-they-possibly-say-no-to-such-an-obviously-sound-idea" from the perspective of the stakeholders. What are the organization's requirements, priorities, vision, mission, values -- and what keeps the senior executives and board members awake at night? The answers to those questions were the key. To celebrate Pat's 95 years of giving to her family, friends and colleagues, I thought it would be appropriate to share a film clip from Canada's 1979 contribution to The International Year Of The Child as an acknowledgement of her leadership in my ongoing passion for volunteerism:
https://www.nfb.ca/film/every_child/
With gratitude for having known and shared with Pat,
Alison Bowser-Overtveld
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The family of Patricia Marilyn MacKay uploaded a photo
Friday, October 4, 2019
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