~ actress, poet, teacher, librarian, sister, aunt, friend, inveterate bubble blower ~
Patsy died peacefully on Gabriola Island in what she called the “home that friends built’ because so many had helped to raise a roof, paint a wall, or hang a door.
Patsy was born in Vancouver, grew up on Vancouver Island, attended UBC, then LAMDA, before returning to Canada in the late 60s to begin her acting career. In 1969, an offer from Neptune Theatre took her to Halifax, where she fell in love with the East Coast and Jerry Franken. For several years their rustic Dead Man’s Island home became the heart of much social and creative foment.
Neptune‘s 2nd Stage was a hotbed of new and/or experimental work. Two of Patsy‘s many standout performances were as Carmen in Forever Yours Mary Lou, and Pirate Jenny in Threepenny Opera. A visit from playwright James Reaney with his briefcase full of the incubating Donnelly Trilogy resulted in the initial workshops which included Patsy. Eventually NDWT produced and toured the trilogy across Canada. No one will forget the force of nature Patsy became as Mrs. Donnelly.
In 1978 she inched her way back to BC, and in 1989 settled on Gabriola Island where she found her real home. Friends had long cherished Patsy’s poems and letters. Now she emerged as a poet, playwright, screenwriter as well as script editor, teacher, and librarian. She gave herself wholeheartedly to island life. Visiting friends found her a generous host and island friends came to know her as a passionate lover of nature in all its forms, keen swimmer, beachcomber, committed Sangha member, and Dharma practitioner. She sent unique handmade cards to friends, fostered many cats, volunteered at the local hospice, was active in Amnesty, and instrumental in creating the Gabriola Tool Library.
When diagnosed with ALS in 2018, Patsy responded in her usual brave, informed, passionate way. Despite Covid, friends and neighbours gathered around her in those last months and weeks. With Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) she chose to die as fearlessly and gracefully as she had lived—in her own bed looking out at her beloved garden.
Patsy was the eldest of seven siblings, all of whom are grateful to have had her in their lives and so proud of her achievements. Her family thanks the wonderful committed caregivers, healthcare team, and amazing circle of friends who supported her.
In lieu of flowers or donations, Patsy asked that people plant a tree in her memory, one native to the place in which it grows.
In July a gathering of her friends and family came together over Zoom to share memories, sip wine, and blow bubbles in Patsy’s honour. Patsy asked that people plant a tree in her memory, one native to the place in which it grows.
