SMITH (Morrison), Patricia Isabella Eve

June 15, 1936 – January 24, 2023. Born in Saint John, N.B., the only child of Murray Leonard and Elizabeth (Barden) Morrison. Married in 1958 to Kenneth Edward Hazen Smith, CD, BSC, of Chipman, N.B., by whom she was predeceased in 1999. Survived by sons, Kimberley (Heather), and Murray; daughter, Elizabeth (Barry) Galbraith; grandchildren, Rochelle Popp, Alta.; Graeme Smith, Marshall Smith, Lauren Galbraith, and Samantha Galbraith, all in Nova Scotia; and great-grandson, Colter Symon, Alta. Patricia attended Saint John High School and Modern Success Business College in Saint John, where she also taught typing and document formatting. She worked for the National Packing Company, customs broker George A. Whittaker and the New Brunswick Electric Power Commission at Beechwood Dam, N.B. In the early 1960s, the family moved to Nova Scotia, starting in Annapolis County and eventually building a home in the early days of Clayton Park on the outskirts of Halifax. Once settled, Patricia became an active volunteer. She was a member of the Halifax Regional Home Owners Association and served a term as Secretary of the Duc d’anville Home & School Association. She served as Secretary for both the Metro and the Central Minor Hockey Federations, the Rockingham Minor Hockey Association, the Nova Scotia Minor Hockey Council, the Dartmouth Arrows, and was proud to be recognized by the City of Halifax for her commitment to youth. Patricia was a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 25 Ladies Auxiliary, the Port Royal Chapter #1 of the OES, a Halifax Lionette, and proud member of the North British Society, the Scots. In the 1970s, Patricia secured a position within the secretarial pool of the Nova Scotia Legislature, eventually moving on to work in other provincial government departments, including the Premier’s Office and the Protocol Office before rounding out her 27-year civil service career with the Nova Scotia Department of Development. Patricia earned her Level III CAHA coaching certificate and was a certified aquatic exercise instructor at the Northcliff Recreation Centre Pool where she delighted in seeing her students improve their mobility, strength, and fitness through her classes. At home, Patricia enjoyed baking bread and producing batches of pickles, preserves and jams to share with friends and neighbours. She created needlework and embroidery projects, and was a prolific knitter, outfitting her family with a steady supply of knitted jackets, Lopi sweaters, Phentex slippers, and even a pair of trigger mittens for her husband to wear during hunting season. She sewed dresses for her daughter as a toddler, made curtains for the family home and cabin, and taught her kids how sew. She also ensured her kids knew how to cook a family meal, make a bed with hospital corners, clean a window without leaving streaks, polish furniture, separate and properly clean and fold laundry, and generally keep a clean house. Patricia enjoyed many seasons attending Neptune Theatre and she had an impressive gift for singing, whether along to oldies playing on the radio or on her own, singing jazz standards from the 40s and 50s. She was sharp, quick witted and savoured a good-natured rally of barbs with many a fitting competitor. She had an endless repertoire of unique quips and jokes, with a select few suitable for modest company. She loved a good laugh, a properly cooked deer steak, cribbage, down to earth people, and her family and friends who accepted her as she was, warts and all. Patricia’s family extends heartfelt appreciation to the doctors, nurses and entire care team, along with the family of residents at Glasgow Hall, Parkland at the Lakes, 76 Baker Dr., in Dartmouth for welcoming Patricia into their warm and accepting environment during her brief stay. Patricia is resting at Atlantic Funeral Home, 6552 Bayers Road, Halifax, B3L 2B3, 902-453-1434. Family flowers only, with donations to FEED Nova Scotia in Patricia’s name welcomed. Visitation at Atlantic Funeral Home, 7-9 p.m. on Monday, January 30th. Patricia’s Funeral Service takes place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 31st, in Calvin Presbyterian Church, 3311 Ashburn Ave. in Halifax. Reception afterwards in the Church basement, with a private committal in the afternoon.