July 17, 1930 – September 29, 2024
Ingonish, NS
A capable wife, who can find her?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good, and not harm,
All the days of her life.
(Book of Proverbs: Chapter 31)
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother, Patricia Catherine (Howley) Fricker on September 29, 2024, at Harbourstone Enhanced Care, Sydney, NS. Mom was born in Little Bras d’Or, Cape Breton, on July 17, 1930, to the late Katie (Beaton) and Milton Howley. She graduated from the Hamilton Memorial School of Nursing in Sydney Mines in 1951 and went on to have an exemplary career as a Registered Nurse, serving in hospitals in Sherbrooke, North Sydney, and Neil’s Harbour, and as the resident nurse at the Keltic Lodge, Ingonish Beach, NS. However, Mom’s first love and main priority was always her family. She was a devoted wife to her late husband of 61 years, Stuart Fricker, and a loving and dedicated mother to their six children, who were the center of her life. She was also a kind and affectionate grandmother to her seven cherished grandchildren, who have wonderful memories of summer visits with their Grammie and Grampie in Cape Breton. Mom was an excellent baker and cook who prepared wonderful meals for her family to enjoy, especially her homemade bread, fishcakes, and pies. In Mom’s kitchen, the teapot was always on and the lunch was always ready for family and visitors alike.
Mom loved the people and communities North of Smokey and was a faithful member of St. Peter’s Catholic Parish, Ingonish Beach. She was a woman of faith and conviction who lived by her Christian beliefs every day of her life. In Mom’s opinion, the only two worthwhile investments in this world were in people and education. She also lived by the motto that it wasn’t important what was in your home: what was important was who came out of it. She took great pride in her appearance and never left the house without wearing a nice dress and a pretty pastel lipstick. She also took great pleasure in the simple things in life, including a strong cup of tea, a good crossword puzzle, and the lilacs that faithfully bloomed by her door every spring.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mom was predeceased by her sisters Jean Howley, Marguerite Howley, Theresa Hill and Anna Yeadon, her sisters-in-law Alice Wilkie, Mary Andrews, Bess Cheshire, Elma Strickland, Vera LeFriend and Theresa Brown, and her brothers-in-law Bobby Hill, Dale Yeadon, and Bernie Peck. She is survived by her children; Monica (Mike) Williams, Antigonish, NS; Patricia Fricker-
Bates (Pat Bates), Sydney River, NS; Elizabeth Fricker, Mississauga, ON; Harris Fricker (Janice), Toronto, ON; Paul Fricker, Thompson, MB; and John Fricker (Geri), San Jose, CA; her grandchildren, Kathleen (Christopher Bousquet), Mark and Anne Williams; Konrad and Derek von Eppinghoven; and Dylan and Aidan Fricker; her siblings Grace Peck, David (Dolores) Howley, and Joe (Frances) Howley; her brother-in-law, George (Marg) Fricker; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, from 3:00-6:00 pm at Fillmore & Whitman Funeral Home, Ingonish, NS. Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 11:00 am at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Ingonish Beach, Fr. Jonas officiating, with burial to follow in the Parish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Buchanan Memorial Hospital Charitable Foundation. Online condolences may be sent to www.fillmoreandwhitman.com
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of Harbourstone Enhanced Care, and to Home Instead Senior Care Sydney, especially Rita and Bini, for the wonderful care that our mother received at the end of her life. While it is hard to say goodbye, we are comforted by the knowledge that Mom lived a truly remarkable life as a wonderful wife and mother and her memory will live on in our hearts.
