Patricia was born in Brandon, Manitoba, the first of three children of Charles and Anne Baron. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Byzantine rite. Patricia has been a woman of deep faith nurtured initially by her family and strengthened by her catholic education with the sisters at St. Michael’s Academy in Brandon and Marian High School in Regina. This faith was deepened and solidified through her studies in Religious Education. It guided her throughout her life’s journey. 

Being a religious Sister was Patricia’s dream. In 1963 she entered the novitiate in Regina Being a Sister and being recognized as a Sister was Patricia’s lifeboat in her darkest moments. After her religious formation she obtained her teaching certificate and ultimately her BA degree. This was the preparation for a long career as a primary teacher and religious education consultor. Sister was involved in the schools for ten years in Brandon, six years in Saskatoon and twenty more in Moose Jaw. Patricia’s natural gift of music gave a special flavor to her teaching. Her students participated in festivals, school choirs and concerts. The preparation of young children for the sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation was one of Patricia’s joys. It was also an opportunity to relate with the families of the children and through this apostolate Sister forged many lasting friendships. 

In 1985, Patricia traveled to Rome to participate in a missiology course with our Sisters from many different countries. Then she went to Jerusalem to study “the gospel of Jesus”. Patricia was an excellent student; she loved learning and always did well. The last of her sabbatical year Patricia spent on mission with our Sisters in Kenya. It was a great disappointment for Patricia that her health did not permit her remaining there to serve the people. 

Patricia’s sharing of her musical talent was not limited to the school or parish environment. Upon entering a nursing home for a visit she was usually met by the staff with a request for her to play for the residents as her talents were well known. In the retirement home where Patricia lived for the past eight years, Patricia continued to serve by putting her talent to “work” playing on request for gatherings and celebrations. She also served as resident librarian, (she herself was an avid reader), and as coordinator of religious services there. 

Patricia’s struggles with pain and illness began early in life. As a young child she had an accident with electricity which caused cataracts that made her almost totally blind. She lived with this disability for many years until laser surgery came into its own and restored her sight. As the years passed Patricia suffered other debilitating illnesses. She was never totally free from pain. And her health challenges were many as the pain killers that had been prescribed undermined her general health. 

It was an unfortunate accident that took Patricia’s life. She had been having a morning coffee with some of her friends in the residence when she choked on a muffin. When medical assistance arrived her heart was restarted and a breathing tube inserted. However, irreversible damage had been done. Eight Sisters gathered around her bed in the intensive care unit of the hospital the next morning as Patricia received the sacrament of the sick and the prayers for the dying were recited. It was a prayerful farewell for Patricia as the Sisters quietly sang or prayed while she drew her last breaths. May she rest in peace.