I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss. Your mom was such a special woman and obviously an incredible mother. She was kind, grounded and full of a warmth that made everyone around her feel instantly at home. From the very first time I met her, she welcomed me and made me feel like I belonged and was a part of your family. 
I’ll always remember my first Greaves family dinner. I was feeling nervous and unsure of myself. Then your mom picked up her soup bowl looked at me with a little smile and said  “Rick turn your head, you don’t want to see this. I’m using my best manners” and drank straight from it. Just like that, I felt completely at ease. That moment still makes me smile. She had a beautiful way of putting people at ease by simply being herself.
She spoke with so much love and excitement about Jackie and myself getting married. It breaks my heart that she won’t be there on that day but I know she’ll still be part of it in a very real way. I’m so happy that she supported and approved of our marriage. I am grateful I got to know her, even for a short time.
Please know that I’m holding you all in my heart.
With all my love and deepest sympathy,

Rick

You were the Mother-In-Law anyone could ask for. Always loving,supportive, and kind. Thank you for all you have done for us.

Dear Mrs. Greaves a.k.a. “My second Mom,”

It’s hard to believe you’re gone. I still feel your warmth around me. You were beautiful—through and through—and kind in a way that touched everyone who crossed your path. But to me, you were more than just kind. You were home.

When I felt out of place, when my parents couldn’t quite understand the tomboy in me, your door was always open. No questions, no judgment—just open arms and a heart big enough to hold me, too. Jackie and I were two peas in a pod, and you saw that. You let me belong, without ever asking me to be anything other than myself.

I’ll never forget how you made me feel safe. The way you’d say, “Stay for dinner,” or “Why don’t you sleep over?” like it was the most natural thing in the world. You’d run a warm bath when I was upset, or make me a cup of your perfectly steeped tea—always with a little dessert, as if sweetness could cure  anything. And with you, it often did.

You didn’t just care for me. You nurtured me. You saw me.

And I miss you more than words can hold.

Thank you for everything—for your laughter, your gentleness, your fierce love. I carry your kindness with me now, trying to pass it on, hoping I can be to someone what you were to me.

With all my love,
Vicki xoxo

It is with great sadness that we wish to convey our condolences to the Greaves Family on the loss of their Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.

May your loving memories bring you joy and peace always.

Sincerely,

Doreen Fenton and Family

Sending sincere condolences to Rod, Colleen and Michael from Uncle Ross and Evelyn.

Pat’s sister Donna is unable to write her own message.  I’ve pulled these memories from Mom’s own message in Donna’s 80th Birthday Album.  

We were born in Windsor, Ontario to John and Gertie Murphy. Our dad was a barber, our mother a homemaker. Donna was a sensitive child and her feelings were easily hurt.  At least that’s my side of the story. As Donna tells it, I tormented her relentlessly!  She would burst into tears so often that our father nicknamed her Bubbles.  

When I was 10 and Donna was 8, our father died at the tragically young age of 38 and we moved to Toronto where our mother could raise us with the help of family.  That was a big change for us.  We went from a small family of 4 to a house full of relatives; a Grandmother, uncles and aunts and later, babies came along. 

In 1960 Donna came to live with us after our mother passed away. She moved into the little bedroom at 201 Linsmore.  That made 3 adults and 5 children in that tiny house - hard to imagine. Right from the beginning, Donna and Willis hit it off.  This is a good thing since we all lived in such close quarters. They genuinely like each other which continued even when she moved into her own place. Maybe that’s why she always seemed to be sitting on his lap in pictures!

We are still close today. There’s nothing like having a sister as a best friend. We can share stories about a past only we can remember. Laugh at the old stories and become nostalgic about others. We know we can tell each other things in confidence that will remain private, compare our aches and pains and best of all, have each other. 

If Donna could have written her own message, I am sure it would have been acerbic and funny as that was the relationship they had.  Signed the brat...Donna

One of the things I’ll always remember most about my grandmother was how she had the best stories to tell. No matter the day or what was going on, if you sat down next to her, she’d light up with a memory and take you with her—back to another time, another place, always told with that spark in her eyes and a smile that made you feel like you were part of something magical. She especially loved sharing memories of the times she had with her grand children i could listen to her talk about our memories for hours. Grandma you will forever be missed by us all I love you so much.

Mom
My mother Patricia Greaves was the apple of her father's eye. It was a real tragedy that he died when she and Donna were so young. They had to relocate to Toronto and live with a bunch of may I say holy rollers. It is too bad that she could not pursue her dream of a singing career. She met her husband and proceeded to have babies right away.
I hope that she found her life fulfilling looking after her husband and children. I always complimented her on taking us all up to the farm - no running water or indoor plumbing. It was quite a feat and very generous of mom and dad. After many years of cooking and cleaning for her own children she was just as giving when the grandchildren came along. She looked after them when their parents needed help. Took them on outings which they all remember fondly.
I can never understand how someone who always said "it's all about me" could look after so many people generously with an open heart.
I will miss you mom.

My mother had a superpower—not flying or invisibility—but something even rarer: she could remember every birthday. Her memory stretched across generations, across marriages and friendships, and even extended to some of my old girlfriends. Honestly, I sometimes think they only put up with me so they could hang out with her.

She was the heart of our family, the keeper of our stories, and the warm call or card that made you feel seen. Her gift wasn't just remembering dates—it was making people feel remembered. And that, more than anything, is what made her unforgettable.

I want to share a memory of my mother-in-law—Pat Greaves such a graceful lady. I don’t think I ever visited her when she didn’t have her lipstick on and a touch of powder on her face. She always carried herself with elegance and dignity.

She was always eager to learn about my country, background, family and past.

But beyond her outward grace, she was an amazing friend. We had conversations I never even had with my own mom—honest, deep, and filled with warmth. We had good laughter.

She also made it clear from the very beginning that my adopted daughters were just as much her grandchildren as any other. That meant the world to me.

She was a beautiful soul, inside and out, and I’ll always cherish her presence in my life.

I will miss you my friend.
Love you always.
Mila

I want to share just some of the beautiful childhood memories that I will forever cherish 

I’ll never forget a scorching summer night during a Toronto heatwave. I couldn’t sleep and mom patiently sat at the edge of my bed for what felt like hours, gently fanning me with a newspaper and softly singing until I fell asleep. This is just one small example of the kind of loving mother she was. 

During my gymnastics years she patiently tolerated me doing somersaults and cartwheels up and down the hallway. I was full of energy making noise and chaos, she never told me to stop even though I knew it was driving her crazy.

Every Saturday night, she’d bake apple pies while watching Hockey Night in Canada. I still remember the sound of the game and the smell of the pies in the kitchen. It’s such a comforting memory. The house was filled with warmth and love.

In the summers at the cottage, she’d sit on the beach for hours, watching us children swim and play. She truly loved seeing us have fun.

I have so many more memories and there are just too many to share. 

Mom always supported me, even when I made poor choices or was a little wild child. Her love never wavered, and her patience never ran out.

She gave so much of herself to others and did it quietly, without expecting anything in return. I’m forever grateful to have been her daughter and loved by her.

I love and will forever miss you mom. Thank you for all you have done for me and my family. 
Lovingly your baby girl Jackie

I have a few quotes that I refer to as "MOM'ISMS". Those lines that you hear repeatedly as a kid and swore you would never repeat as an adult, but you catch yourself doing just that! They may sound a little mean in print, but we kids never took it that way because they were always said with love and we deserved them! That was the exceptional part of our childhood. Even though we didn't have a lot of the material things in life, we always felt safe, secure and loved.

We all agree that we were very lucky. We had summer vacations every year and a stable home life with mom and dad. To me, the most traumatic thing that I can remember happening was when we moved. Mom sent us to school in the morning from 201 Linsmore and told us to return for lunch at 199 and feeling uncomfortable as this was the Vincent's home.

Here are my "MOM'isms'":
•	I don't care what you do, just don't bleed on the carpet.
•	Don't come inside until the street lights come on.
•	Excuse you! Were you born in a barn?
•	Get down to the basement and don't come back up until I call you.
•	Children are meant to be seen and not heard.
•	Our Nicknames: John was "Big Bad John", Cathy was "Chatty Cathy", Evelyn was "Elephant Ann", Jim was "Jimminy Cricket ", Bill was "Billy Goat", Colleen was "Florrie Dorrie" and Jackie was "Wacky Jackie ".
•	When she got mad at one of us, she would shout all of our names and in frustration then yell "You with the face!".
•	"Willis, tell your children to stop doing whatever it is they're doing!"
•	For every brussel sprout you eat you are offering it up to god to get one more suffering child out of purgatory.

There are so many more memories to share!

Thank you mom for everything! All the hard work you did for us, and we didn't appreciate at the time, and the loving home we all thrived in!

I will be forever grateful to you and will love you to my dying day!

Dear Greaves Family
My deepest condolences on your loss. I will never forget your mom's kindness and generosity, always welcoming me into her home offering me tea, snacks and meals. Her home became my second home. She also had a great deal of patience, when I think of the countless hours that I spent in her basement as a teenager along with Bill, Jim, Paul, Frank and Syl watching tv to all hours of the night, listening to heavy metal music at crazy volumes and getting into mischief that teenagers often do, through all that she never once got mad at us, yelled at us or kicked us out. Those were very special times for me and I will forever be gratefully to her for it. She will be very much missed.

Love Rick

Dear Greaves Family
Your mom was an inspiration to me.  Our time at the farm was so fun.  She always made me feel welcome when she took in another child.  There was always some crazy activity going one.  Mrs. Greaves was always so patient with all the chaos that was going on.  She has a special spot in my heart.  RIP Mrs. Greaves.

I am so sorry for your loss.  I always remember around your home was lots of children laughing and playing.  Your Mom was so patient.   Your Mom sang at my mother’s funeral.  She sang so beautifully, she made it so special.  I will always remember.  Love Karen Doering

Jackie & family,
Sincerest condolences for the passing of your mom.  May the special memories you made together help you through this difficult time.

Linda

Below is an excerpt from a letter I wrote Grandma a few months ago. 

Some of the best childhood memories I have were the times we spent together during summer break. I always loved our trips to the mall more than just about anything. It was always either Fairview or Eaton centre. We’d have lunch in the food court, wander through the mall and look at stuff (maybe you’d spoil me and buy me something) and then we’d watch a movie. We saw many movies together, but there’s two I specifically remember because I can’t believe you agreed to sit through them. One movie was “Rumble in the Bronx”, a dubbed-over martial arts movie staring Jackie Chan. The other movie was “the Blair witch project”, the shaky, handheld, faux documentary horror movie. I remember during Blair Witch you had to close your eyes. Not because you were scared, but because the handheld camera was giving you a headache! Now, looking back I find it hard to believe that as a woman in her sixties your idea of a good time was spending an hour on the TTC to wander around a mall and then take in the latest Kung-fu movie. But, that’s what you did and it was awesome!

Maybe what I remember best are all the times mom and i would come by your house just for a visit. You would make my favourite - a tunafish sandwich and a chocolate milk with whip cream. Then you and mom would sit at the kitchen table, have a couple cups of tea and just talk for hours.

There are lots of other good memories too, like when you’d sing me to sleep for my naps (It’s hard to get someone to sing you to sleep for your naps when you get older). But, I just wanted to say thank you for being such a big part of my life and giving me so many wonderful experiences as a child that I can look back on fondly for the rest of my life. You spoiled me, not just with stuff, but with your time, attention and love. Thank you for being such a great Grandma!

To Colleen and family I didn’t know your mom but you talk about her is like I know here  prayer are with you and family love from Peggy and Cynthia  and family  prayer are with you

OBITUARY

Patricia Mary Greaves

11 April, 1930 – 13 April, 2025

Giffen-Mack and Trull Funeral Home

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