Patricia Elizabeth MacKenzie

Patricia Elizabeth Mackenzie beloved wife, mother, friend, and community leader died peacefully in her home on November 30, 2023. Patricia is survived by her devoted husband, of 60 years, Barry; daughters Camilla (Greg Petkovich, John, Claire); Tara (Chris Boland, Kate); son Matthew (Brynn, Eli); sister Maxine Woodward (Terrea, Shaleen); and her sister-in-law Eila Mackenzie (Davin, Ian, Duncan).

Patricia was born in Regina in 1940 and attended Balfor Tech high school where her future father-in-law was the Principal. Patricia received her Bachelor of Education from the University of Saskatchewan in 1962. Upon graduation, Pat married the love of her life Barry and moved to Montreal where she taught history and home economics. Pat and Barry moved to Toronto in the early 1970s where she supported her husband in pursuing his entrepreneurial dream. Together they owned and ran several Canadian Tire stores throughout Ontario.

All who knew Pat understood her passion for politics and community service. Pat held executive positions on the student council of both her high school and university. She was a Town Councilor from 1974-80 in Prescott, Ontario. After moving to Alberta in 1985, she was elected to Edmonton’s City Council in 1986 and served three terms as Alderman. She shared her passion for the importance of municipal government more broadly, serving on the boards of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, where she also served as President.

Pat’s dedication to community was lifelong, deep and broad. In her early years she was active with Rotary and the University Women’s Club. Later she took on substantial public service roles including as Chair of the Alberta Commission on Learning, and as a member of the boards of Alberta Blue Cross, Roots of Empathy, Tree Canada (Chair), the Centre for Family Literacy, the Law Enforcement Review Board, the Municipal Government Board, Homeward Trust (Chair) Habitat for Humanity, Alzheimer’s Society, and the University of Alberta Senate. Patricia received many awards and accolades over the years for her public work, including being recognized as one Alberta’s most influential people and a trailblazer by the YWCA.

Pat did all of this while raising three children, supporting her husband, and being a fierce friend. For those of us who knew her best, we will remember her love of entertaining, her spectacular garden, and the sheer joy she took in being with family and friends. Pat made an impact on everyone she met and we will miss her desperately. Patricia’s was a life well-lived and lived to the fullest to the very end. She always gave more than she took and she has left this world a better place.

Patrica’s funeral will be at St Thomas More Catholic Parish, on Friday, December 15 at 11:00 am, followed by a reception. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Edmonton Community Foundation or the Alzheimer’s Society.