Ms. Patricia Elizabeth Ann Hamara

Obituary

Hamara-Wilson, Patricia Elizabeth Anne Patricia’s full-bodied orchestra of life and times fell silent on Sept. 5, 2015, with her passing in Toronto, and as she sought it: in her home, on her bed, and with her husband of 32-years, Jamie, resting by her side. Left to mourn are her cherished sons Andrew, Brendan and Connor for whom Patricia embodied the earth beneath their feet, the wind behind their backs, the moon that guided them, and the sun that forever shone over them. She was the adored younger sister of Gregory, and sister-in-law to Deborah (Alexander). Patricia was a wonderful auntie to Jules and Talia Hamara, and Mackenzie Wilson, and a Godmother extraordinaire to Jules, Erika Minkhorst, Alanna Shwed and Jessica Hamara. She will be remembered by her many cousins including Ron and Jane Hamara, and Virginia (late Gary) Hamara and their families. Patricia was born in Toronto on Feb. 12, 1959, and who was, with her brother, an adopted child of William and Olga Hamara. God blessed her and Gregory with remarkable and loving parents whose values of grace, dignity, patience, hard work and, foremost, forgiveness, became Patricia’s compass to daily life. Jamie and Patricia attended the same elementary and secondary schools in Willowdale – Patricia was a Grade 8 math and science student of her father’s at Willowdale Jr. High School – but their full romance arrived later as each approached their university graduations; in Patricia’s case, from the University of Toronto in 1982. They married in 1983. Before entering into what would become the abiding passion of her life, parenthood, Patricia embarked on a career with the TD Bank and later turned to education where she was an aquatics instructor with the Toronto District School Board. Before and during their marriage Patricia and Jamie, at times with young sons in tow, travelled abroad and across North America. But it was on the pink Muskoka granite of the Canadian Shield found north of Gravenhurst, Ont., on the shores of Pine Lake, that Patricia left her own indelible mark. Her fingerprints can be found everywhere inside and out of the cottage that Bill and Olga built for their children with resourcefulness, sweat, and most of all, love, for the legacy they knew they would one day leave behind for their descendants. Whether it was foraging as a child for blueberries under a hot August sun, or picking mushrooms with Mom and Baba in the overcast October chill, or simply watching her boys live out their lives against the Muskoka sunset as they grew into young men, Patricia was never more at peace with herself than when she and family and Pine Lake became one with each other. Patricia indiscriminately gave of herself to others. No dinner table was too small to accommodate extra guests; no friend or foe was ignored in a moment of need; no problem too intractable without a wake-up call of wisdom and common sense. From her parents and grandparents she fully embraced her Ukrainian ancestry – in song, in the dance groups with which she performed for many years, and in the traditional foods which she lovingly crafted to the everlasting delight and wholesome appreciation of family and friends. No more so were these talents of Patricia’s on enviable display than during our Holy Days of Christmas and Easter, both Latin and Eastern Orthodox. From the moment Patricia was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July, 2014, she soldiered forward with inspiring courage and a steely resolve to slay the beast. Along this journey she was supported by many friends, none more so than by her life-long friend, confidante and erstwhile fishing partner, Maria Shwed. Maria was there each day for Patricia, side-by-side, hand-in-hand, shoulder-on-shoulder. We will forever be grateful to Maria and her compassionate support. The family also wishes to also extend sincere appreciation to the CCAC Palliative Care Team and staff of the Dorothy Ley Hospice whose efforts allowed us to honour Patricia’s wishes to remain at home, and to the staff of GI Oncology at Princess Margaret Hospital. Friends are invited to visitation at the Cardinal Funeral Home, 366 Bathurst St, Toronto, (416-603-1444) on Friday Sept. 11, from 2–4pm and from 6-9 pm. Panychyda (prayer) service at 7:30 pm. Funeral service at 11 am on Saturday Sept. 12 at Runnymede United Church, 432 Runnymede Rd, Toronto, (416 767-6729) Interment to follow at York Cemetery, 160 Beecroft Rd, North York Flowers are gratefully declined. Should you so desire, donations in Patricia’s honour may be made to: Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation Pancreatic Cancer Personalized Cancer Medicine Fund www.thepmcf.ca 416 946-6560 For you there might be a brighter star, but through my eyes the light of yours is all I see. For you there might be another song, but all my heart can hear is your melody. Vichnya Pamyat, Patricia, Your memory shall be eternal.

Visitation

Service

Burial / Entombment / Cremation