On Friday, February 16, 2018, our beloved Mother, Nanny, Great Nanny, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Rouge Valley Extendicare, a very nice place, with great compassionate staff. Patricia’s mother, Ethel Franklin, arrived in Canada as a Bernardo child (1912) and she married George Helston, a soldier of the First World War, who had been injured at the battle of Vimy Ridge. First came, Phyllis (predeceased July 16, 2000)- nieces- Jackie, Susan, Brenda. Then, Patricia arrived in the world just before the Great Depression. Patricia met Reginald Dewett Holden, a flier from the Second World War/ a member of the Hat and Rabbit Club, when they worked at Underwood Typewriters. Reginald worked his magic and they married on November 3, 1945. Thence, there were four children - Sheranne/ Tom (Fellion)+ Tricia/ Dave (Esch), Kayla, Nichole; David/ Vanessa- Melissa; Steven/Ashley (Broderick )- Eddy, Eleanor: Judy/George (Heighington)+ Christian/Tarrah (Robinson)- Corey, Samantha-, Taylor, Alex, Ashley; Sharon (Goldstein, predeceased February 28, 2007); Paul- Nigel, Sydney; Kevin- Ethan, Leah; Mark/Ruth (Bakewell)- Ramona, Cassius, River/Dante (twins); Ryan (predeceased April 12, 2008); Matthew/Amy (Manning); Jordan: Preston/Dianne (Hutchison)+ James/Carrie- Carson, Nathan; Shannon/ Robb (Zito) - Daniel, Connor, Aiden: Glen/Heather (Stananought predeceased July 3,1993)+ Becky/ Matt (Lawson)- Evelyn, Aubrey; Amy.
Our mother, Nanny, Great Nanny, was a most caring person. She worked in many places of employment, to include Eaton’s Department Store, Central Wrap. That department had quite an active ladies group. In the early years, she was a contributing member of Birchcliff Heights United Church. In the early 70's they moved to North York. Patricia joined the Lansing United Church, singing in the choir, working in the nearly new shop and a strong member of the UCW. Summers were spent at the Lyndhurst Golf Club in a small trailer, where Patricia had many friends. She really enjoyed the activities, bingo, cards and craft sales. Patricia babysat a young Nicholas. Patricia was a grandmother figure as Nicholas Mellor is with a family of his own.
Patricia loved sports, cheering on her Blue Jays and her Boston Bruins. She was a very competitive bowler with the White Haven Bowling league till her 91st Year. Over the years, as an avid knitter and crafter, she made sweaters and crafts to share. The Celebration of the life of Patricia Isabel Holden, our Mother, Nanny, Great Nanny, will be at the York Cemetery and Funeral Centre, 160 Beecroft Road, North York on Monday, February 26, 2018; greeting/consolation at 1:00 p.m., with the Service at 2.00 p.m. Internment is in the Veterans Section with Reginald, her husband. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Parkinson Society and/or the Sick Kids Hospital.