In memory of

Patricia Bartlett-Richards

February 28, 1942 -  July 7, 2020

Patricia Bartlett-Richards (nee Harrison)

The family of Patricia Bartlett-Richards is deeply saddened to announce that Patricia died peacefully in Toronto on July 7, 2020, at the age of 78.

Pat will be lovingly remembered by her brothers Bob (Janet), Bill (Jana), and Don (Jewell), and by her sister Shirley (Clark Burgess). She was predeceased by her brother David (Susan), and her sister Mary (Bryce Hawkins), as well as by her loving partner, George Richards. She was a proud ‘Auntie Pat’ to her many nieces and nephews, and will be dearly missed by all of them.

Patricia will be remembered for her nurturing, helping spirit and for her commitment to developing others. She came from the humblest of beginnings, born in a northern Ontario country town. As the eldest of seven siblings, she played an active role in caring for her brothers and sisters and in her early years, took on many responsibilities at home.

As a teen, she moved to Toronto with her family and she began her career in banking soon after. In her long career with the Toronto Dominion Bank, she took on many executive roles in recruiting and training, and later engaged in consulting. Those who worked with her described Pat as “smart, energetic and full of mischief…fiercely loyal to her many friends, but could also be bluntly irreverent when necessary”.

Over her lifetime, Pat was devoted to helping others in her community at home and abroad. She was a passionate member of The Rotary Club. Patricia was a very spiritual and artistic person. She loved to create art and poetry and many of the proceeds from her art shows went to the Rotary Club’s Trails Youth Initiatives.

Her enthusiasm for life and helping others also took her on many travels around the world. One of her personal achievements was time spent climbing in the Himalayas in her fiftieth year. Inspired by the healing power of hugs, Patricia helped to create a Care Shed for relatives of AIDS patients in India.

Family and friends all have fond memories of Patricia, Pat, or Auntie Pat held close to them in their hearts. She will always be remembered for sending her hugs to family and friends around the world by way of notes, emails, long-distance calls and her patented “telephone hug”. In 2007, Patricia wrote a memoir, entitled “Whimsy and Joy. Thoughts on Life in Art and Poetry.” In it we can find some the greatest insights into her wonderful life experiences. The following are some excerpts of her own words:

“I have been blessed. It is a love of living. It is living love.”

Guestbook 

(5 of 35)


Wendy L Caron (Friend)

Entered July 12, 2020 from Windsor, ON

Patricia became a friend after becoming an education sponsor for Lecton, a Tanzanian youth who wanted an education but was unable to afford the fees. Because of Patricia's generous heart Lecton is now completing medical school. He is an exceptional person, a leader, and humanitarian - reflecting all the characteristics of his benefactress. I am so saddened by Patricia's passing. I will miss her positive outlook on life, her wit, her charisma, and her hugs!

Bart Reilly (Friend and co worker)

Entered July 14, 2020 from Oakville

Pat was an amazing person who I knew well at TD Bank..
My condolences to her family and friends.
Bart Reilly

Jeanette Nonan (Friend)

Entered July 14, 2020 from Toronto

My deepest condolences to the family
. Pat will always be missed, she’s an Angel.

Bob and Janet (Brother sister in law)

Entered July 14, 2020 from Caledon

It was Bobby and Patsy. She never lost site of what family was to her. But her friends were equal in all aspects of her life. Telephone hugs to heaven Pat.

Christina Kloepfer (Best of Friends)

Entered July 14, 2020 from Perth On

Pat made the world a nicer place for everyone who knew her. I’m so grateful to have had Pat as my true friend for over 45 years. As I stir through the memories of what we shared, I feel blessed for the priceless gift of Pat in my life. Her kind heart and generous soul will never be forgotten.

Life Stories 

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Poetry 

Entered July 14, 2020

A Poem from her book "Whimsy and Joy" written by Patricia Bartlett-Richards

NEST OF LOVE

It is a wonderful rush
to experience spirituality in love's nest

It doesn't matter what form it takes,
it matters what it feels like.

Perhaps the angel has found
the best of whatever it is we have.

So that the glory of the light
may be all the more brilliant

and all life's celebrations.

Stephen Hill (friend)

Entered July 14, 2020

Patricia Bartlett

Pat Bartlett conducted a second interview with me on February 14, 1974 when TD Bank was considering hiring me. Pat was working at TD’s Bank Lab Management training Centre at the time. She struck me as quite unconventional and if I’m not mistaken, she sat cross legged on top of her desk during the interview. She was very interested in who I was. But what really stood out was how enthusiastic she was about her work. Pat also had a spark and energy and I recall thinking, if this high energy, impressive person is this enthusiastic about her work at TD, then it must be a good place to work.


I joined TD in mid May that year and became good friends with Pat. She became my “go to person” when I needed advice about something to do with my career and always had great input.


Another thing that Pat had done that inspired me to join TD, was the breadth of her experience at the bank. She had worked in various branch roles; in Commercial Development; in the Bank Lab Management Training; in Greenline Investor Services and many more. That had great appeal to me and it is exactly what I experienced as well.


Our friendship was raised to a whole new level when Pat played matchmaker by introducing me to Fran Matias on Christmas Day in 1986. Fran and I were engaged a couple of months later and married in October 17, 1987 with Pat as Fran’s Maid of Honour and her husband Ted as my Best Man. Pat boasted about this matchmaking for the next 32 years to whoever would listen.


Whether inside TD or outside, when you asked Pat a question, she made it a mission to help you find an answer or solution. Her caring attitude was unparalleled.


Another endearing dimension of Pat is that she could be very direct and blunt in her communications, saying what needed to be said, no matter who she was addressing nor how senior they might be. Her example helped me tremendously in my career.


While I strived to be the best friend I could be to Pat, she always managed to give way more than she received. I wish I’d been able to do more. I am blessed to be able to call her a great friend of 46 years. I will miss Pat dearly.


Stephen Hill

Drew Davis (friend)

Entered July 14, 2020

My memories of dear Pat extend way back to her pre-Richards, pre-Bartlett days when I followed her as Lead Instructor at TD’s innovative training program, Banklab.
She was smart, energetic and full of mischief, characteristics which stood her in good stead for the rest of her life.
She was fiercely loyal to her many friends, but could also be bluntly irreverent when necessary. My memories of 48 years of friendship with Pat are endless but everyone of them brings a smile to my face.


Drew Davis

Philip Bauslaugh (son-in-law to Stephen Hill)

Entered July 14, 2020

What an incredible person Auntie Pat was.

Her spirt and positivity was amazing to be around.

When Rina was having her heart surgery she opened her home to me so I had somewhere to stay and be close to the hospital so I could easily visit every day. Every night I came home to a warm meal, a great conversation and a comfy bed. I will never forget that amazing act of kindness.

I also fondly remember her “clean the kitchen soup” ... take all the bits and pieces of food from the fridge to make a meal. Something I could very much relate to.

She will be greatly missed.

Philip Bauslaugh

Ray Williams (Friend)

Entered July 15, 2020 from Pickering

My wife Margaret and I first met our dear Patricia on a Rhine River cruise and vacation in Europe over a dozen years ago, and have since remained fast and dear friends. She joined us as well on a Canada / New England cruise about eight years ago, in which she enjoyed retracing her late husband George's footsteps on a similar journey they took during happier times.
Through the ensuing years we have been guests in each other's homes, and have enjoyed being her special invite to her Rotarian Club functions as well as theatrical shows.
She appreciated my many poems and words of encouragement while she faced challenging times, and throughout it all she has always managed to remain positive, serving as a stellar example of courage for me. We therefore will always remember:

Her sunshine smile
Cheery "Hello"
Warm hugs
As well as her willingness to help
These and many other gifts
We'll miss, as our dear sister Pat
Who has been a blessing in many of our lives
Makes her journey
To do more good with open arms
On the other side.

Ray Williams

Photos 

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