Patricia Jackson

In Loving Memory of Patricia (Pat) Mary Jackson (née Duncan) March 26, 1935 – August 18, 2025, peacefully at 7:30 p.m., surrounded by her loving family.

Our strong, beautiful, loving, determined, independent, hard-working, sassy, and fun-loving mum passed away with us, her children, Carolyn (Gaz), Pamela (Joe), and Andrew—by her side. Her grandchildren and their significant others—Jadine (Mark), Danica (Paul), Kailea (Alex), Chantal, Reighan (Dakoda), Kerim (Olivia), Erika, Peter, Tyler, Rebecca—and her great-grandson, Liam—were all part of her final weekend, gathered at her bedside to support her, to support each other, and to say goodbye. We shared memories, sang her favourite songs, and reminded her how deeply she was loved.

Mum was born in Hull, Yorkshire, and grew up during WWII, experiencing air raid sirens and the accompanying need to hurry to the bomb shelter in the garden, but also the unbridled joy upon the announcement of the end of the war. She studied pharmacy, before setting off for Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), travelling alone by sea to a port in South Africa, then boarding a train to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) with people she met on board, a trip that would have taken several weeks to complete. Once settled, she found work at a local pharmacy and was also recruited to be in a travel film about Victoria Falls, where she and her friend had the terrifying experience of being charged by an elephant. Her roommate later encouraged her to join the local theatre group, where she met our father, Peter Jackson. They married in 1960 and, together, moved several times between England, South Africa, Rhodesia, and Wales, before finally moving to Canada in 1981.Sadly, just a little over seven months after arriving in Canada, our dad passed away. Mum, resilient and determined as ever, chose to stay, raising us with unwavering strength and love. She worked tirelessly, eventually finding a long-term role at Rexall, where she worked until her well-deserved retirement. Although it was difficult, she somehow managed to provide for us all, by herself.

Following the passing of her father, Frederick Duncan, in 1987, she immediately arranged for her mother (our Nana), Dorothy (Nancy) Duncan, to come to Canada to live. She supported and cared for her until Nana passed away in 1998. The devotion she showed set an example for us all.

Mum loved being a grandmother and was always present at the kids' games, recitals, graduations, and performances. Despite chronic pain, she never slowed down, and never let it stop her from supporting her loved ones.

That determination, along with her grace and love, shaped who we are and how we care for one another.

She had a life full of stories, love, laughter, and adventure. The love she shared with our dad was that of soulmates, the type of once-in-a-lifetime connection that cannot be duplicated. She cherished her "kid sister by marriage", Joyce - our hilarious aunty - as well as all her nieces, nephews, cousins John (Liz), Richard (Paula), Michael, her in-laws and many other family members and lifelong friends from all over the world. Just days before she passed, she talked about making one last visit to England, hoping not only to see the places she loved one last time, but also to reconnect with all of those people, assuring us that they all still held their own special places in her heart.

There will not be a day that goes by that mum will not be missed.

Thank you to everyone who loved and cherished her. We will be holding a small family memorial dinner, with a celebration of life to follow in a few months.

In lieu of flowers we ask for donations to be made in memory of our mother to one of the charities listed below.

Alzheimers Society

Cancer Society of Canada