Andrea Patricia 'Pat' Roach
Born In: New Waterford
Passed in: Halifax, Canada
Passed on: April 5th, 2015
It is with deep sadness that we, the family, announce the peaceful passing of Patricia ‘Pat’ Roach, 90, of Halifax, formerly of King Street, New Waterford, on April 5, 2015, at Parkstone Enhanced Care, Halifax, N.S. surrounded by her family.
Pat was born and raised in Port Morien, Cape Breton, daughter of the late Allan J. and Johanna (Nolan) MacDonald.
After graduating high school, she attended Normal College in Truro, which became The Nova Scotia Teacher’s College. She completed further studies at Dalhousie University. Pat had a lengthy career as an elementary educator, teaching at St. Stephen’s, Halifax, Round Island, C.B., Scotchtown, C.B., and for many years at Mt. Carmel School in New Waterford, where she also served as vice principal and principal. Multiple generations of students in New Waterford had Pat for a teacher.
After retirement, she became more involved with parish and community service, serving on the Mount Carmel Parish Council, Chair of Liturgy Committee, Eucharistic Minister for many years, and Co-ordinator of Communion to the sick and shut in. Pat also served as president of the Mount Carmel CWL, president of the New Waterford Retired Teachers Association, and a member of the Cape Breton Artists Association. She was a dedicated volunteer canvasser with the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Pat enjoyed many activities in her retirement years including painting, skating, and travel, taking multiple trips to the British Isles, continental Europe, the Holy Land, and warmer destinations in winter time.
She cared for her husband Tom faithfully during his period of illness up to his death in 2001, and she eventually moved to Halifax in November, 2007.
The support and dedication to her four children was a top priority in her life, and carried on to tremendous pride and fondness for her many grandchildren.
She is survived by her sister Eileen MacDonald, London, Ont.; sisters-in-law, Ellen Smith, Florida, Sister Simone Roach, Antigonish; brother-in-law Bernard (Jackie) Roach, Ottawa; daughter Kathleen (John McKay), Unionville, Ont.; sons, Greg (Nancy), Tom (Amy Bennet Roach), Phil (Patti MacKinnon), all of Halifax, N.S.; grandchildren, Michael (Heather) McKay, Sarah Mather, Bradley, Elizabeth, Lindsay, Emma, Mattea, Eamon, Cullen and Lachlan Roach; great-grandchildren, Lillian and Gwen McKay; many nieces and nephews with special, loving connection to her MacDonald clan.
Pat was predeceased by husband of 49 years, Thomas Francis Roach, brothers, Ernest and Colin, sisters, Alethia Zorychta and Carrie Orr, daughter-in-law June (Samways) Roach, granddaughter Caitlyn Frances Roach.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford. A funeral mass of celebration will take place Thursday, April 9 at 10 a.m. in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, New Waterford, with Fr. Jim Oliver officiating. Cremation will follow with burial in Mount Carmel Cemetery at a later date. A luncheon will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall, Plummer Avenue, New Waterford, immediately following the funeral mass. The Knights of Columbus will assemble for a prayer service on Wednesday, April 8 at 7 p.m. in the funeral home.
Family flowers only. Donations in her memory may be made to the St. Leonard’s Cemetery Society (Mount Carmel Cemetery) or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.vjmcgillivray.ca.
The family offers sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff at Evan Hall and Princess Lane, Parkland Avenue, Halifax for their excellent care of Pat over the past 2 and a half years.
