It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Patricia Marie Hawkes on Saturday, May 3, at Sunnybrook Hospital, from cancer. Patricia was the beloved wife of Charles Hawkes, mother to Ward and Phillip Hawkes, and older sister to Janet Switzer of Edmonton, Alberta. All were present when Pat passed peacefully.
Patricia was born in Toronto to John Switizer, and Marie Bugera on January 25, 1943. They moved to Winnipeg, then Kenora, finally settling in Sioux Lookout, Ontario where John became the film projectionist in the Mayfair theatre Patricia went to elementary and high school school there, then attended North Bay Teacher’s College to qualify for teaching elementry students. She taught in Etobicoke and North York. went on to gain a BA in History and English, at Glendon College. Her dedication, and enjoyment teaching young students never flagged.
She met Charles, a high school teacher, also from Sioux Lookout. They married in July 1967., and settled in North York. Pat was an inveterate bookworm, with strong opinions on the value of literature to truly understand Canadian history. Gardening was another passion; we often saw her with a flashlight late at night elimiating garden pests. She took up quilting, sewing dozens of beautiful quilts, and forming lasting friendships with quilt guilds in Scarborough and Lindsay.
Travel was the greatest joy of her life, with long stays in Provence, and Portugal in addition to cruises that allowed her and Charles to visit every continent.
A Celebration of Life for Patricia Hawkes on Thursday, 22 May 2025 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM at York Cemetery & Funeral Centre
160 Beecroft, Toronto