Margaret Patricia Megaffin

Of Halifax. Born in Toronto, Ontario. Pat passed away, peacefully, on April 02, 2018 at the age of 88, after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Her family was at her side and she is now at peace.

Pat was predeceased by her parents, Patrick and Margaret (McCurdy) McMurray, and siblings William and May. Pat was also predeceased by Don, her loving husband of 64 years.

Pat is survived by her children: Michael (Darlene), of Tantallon; Steven, of Amsterdam, NL; Christopher (Virve), of Halifax, and Mary-Elizabeth, of South Surrey, BC. She had five grandchildren that she loved very much; Danielle, Jake, Tommy, Matthew, and Emma Ireland. She was also a Godmother to her niece Sandra. Pat will be deeply missed by those who loved her.

Pat lived a very interesting life. She had a passion for travel, and journeyed with Don all over the world, often to countries that were not ready for tourists, including China, the Middle-East, Russia (shortly after the fall of the Iron Curtain), Turkey (during a period of Martial Law), Burma, and Hungary (1986). Her favorite cities to visit were London, Rome, and Amsterdam.

Pat was a very private and reserved person who loved her family and close friends. She nurtured her life-long friendships through Christmas cards, letters, and emails. She was an avid reader who loved to learn about new things. Pat purchased and programmed her first home computer in 1979, and strongly suggested to her family that becoming computer literate would be necessary in the future.

Pat was heavily involved with the early growth stages of the family automobile business. While maintaining an always spotless home and raising four children, she also helped with the books, organized the company minutes, and in the early days, even spent weekends cleaning the company offices to help reduce the costs of running the fledgling business. In the 1980’s she owned and managed income properties in Halifax.

Because Pat and Don were married in their early 20’s, she did not have a chance to further her education past the secondary level until she was in her 60’s. A personally fulfilling accomplishment was receiving her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Waterloo, graduating on the Dean’s Honours List, at the age of 67.

She was especially proud of her father and mother, who immigrated to Canada from Ireland and Scotland. Her father had been a Scottish Commando with the British Army in World War One. He enlisted at the age of 16, fought in Belgium and France, and unfortunately suffered with PTSD for the rest of his life. Pat’s mother worked long days in her own small grocery store in Toronto. They were strong willed people who moulded Pat’s independent spirit. Pat was grateful for her Irish and Scottish heritage, while being a truly proud Canadian. She was a dual citizen of Ireland, through her mother.

The family would like to thank the staff of Parkland at the Gardens for their wonderful care in the past four years, especially in the past 18 months when she lived on the 2nd floor. We also want to thank the many care-givers from Home Instead who treated her with love and companionship, allowing her to live her final years with dignity.

Pat’s remains have been cremated and as per her requests, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made, in Pat’s name to, the Alzheimer Society of Canada (www.alzheimer.ca).