Patricia Wright (née Falshaw)

My heart aches with the loss, so it is with inconsolable grief that on Sunday, December 30, 2018, I find myself having to find the inner strength to at least attempt to write my Patricia’s obituary and a few things about her life.

After her most recent experience at University Hospital, I brought her home to take care of her, as was her request. Since December 26, 2018 however, she was at St. Joseph’s Hospice, where she died peacefully and pain free, surrounded by angelic nurses and friends. As difficult a task as this is, I find the words just fell out of me onto the page with ease, comforted by the fact she has been my best friend for 40 years. I loved her every day and now I shall miss her every day. Patricia was born and raised in London by her biological aunt (adoptive mom), Bernice and her grandmother, Florence Falshaw. She attended H.B. Beal Secondary School and Fanshawe College and graduated with Commercial Art and Marketing degrees as well as numerous night school courses in calligraphy and interior creative writing, to name a few. She was obsessed with learning. She was a perfectionist as well as a type ‘A’ personality. She was artistic in every aspect of her life, in whatever challenge she faced. She did it with passion, joy and commitment for the finished project. She always had an unwavering commitment to do the right thing; as her grandmother had always taught her to do and always lived her life on her terms to her last day.

She was a woman with many passions; a lover of all the beauty that life brings us in all its forms. She absolutely loved the gift of life and fought extremely hard to keep it. Her favourite pastimes were:  live theatre (musical), children’s book illustration, dance and the arts in general. In her pre-teen and teen years, she had taken tap, ballet, modern jazz and baton lessons. She also modeled for a while. In her 20s she renewed her interest in dance; and with her son, Reuben in tow, started again with modern dance. She also taught tap to kids at the YMCA.

More recently, after having a complicated liver transplant surgery in 2009, she again renewed her interest with dance. She took both tap and line dancing, but settled with tap. She belonged to the Jazzy Tappers of London right to the end of her life. She certainly was uncompromisingly unique. She had a 20-year career in the art field and worked at U.W.O. Predeceased by her mom, Bernice; grandmother, Florence; brother, Kenny; and her beloved Himalayan, Mlle Truffles. Survived by her son, Reuben Wright, all her ‘tap sisters’, her muse and me, Frank. I truly hope you continue to enjoy all the new blessings that are coming your way for having lived a good life. I personally am sorry that I couldn’t protect you from all the bad and ugly things that have happened to you recently in your fight with this disease that you have courageously fought for over 30 years.

Patricia lost her battle to preventable complications resulting from liver disease and a recently inaccurate diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Thanks to Marilyn, Dr. Peck and Paul Meyers for their kindness and understanding. Also a ‘thank you’ to Dr. Ghent (retired), who was Patricia’s liver specialist from 1988 – 2009. Also, a ‘thank you’ to St. Joseph’s Hospice for their love, respect and compassion for Patricia; especially, Hope, you are an Angel – Thank you. A special thanks to all of Patricia’s tap sisters for their visits, cards, personal support and love; especially, Anne, Colleen and her entire family and Janet.

I am shocked she’s gone. She was the calm to my storm; the beauty to my beast. I am only one breath away to be reunited with her. I’ve been crying a lot – there’s a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They are messengers of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love! Grief after all, is the price you pay for true love! Lastly, on a personal note, I would like to thank my friend, Leon for his friendship and guidance; to my brother, Chris for all his emotional support and love throughout this most tumultuous and terrifying time of my life.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 10, 2019, from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where a funeral service will be conducted on Friday, January 11, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Woodland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation in memory of Patricia are asked to consider the Humane Society London & Middlesex.