In Memoriam

July 1946 - September 2026

Pat was born in Kingston to Pat and John Muir. Her father had returned from  the Second World War and the family soon after moved to Kitchener, then Hamilton and finally Burlington, where Pat spent the majority of her school years.

She graduated from Burlington Central High School in 1964. She was then off to Queen’s, following in the footsteps of her mother and father, who were both grads. Pat graduated from Nursing (BNSc) in 1969 and devoted her life to the profession. She kept in touch with her nursing sisters and attended the key reunions.

Pat started her nursing career at the Ottawa Civic, but soon joined CUSO and travelled to South America, where she nursed in Columbia and Ecuador. Later, she utilized her nursing experience at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, U.K.

When Pat returned to Canada, she joined Toronto Public Health where she made new friends among the nursing staff. She retired from TPH only to seek more work in the mental health field at St Michael’s Hospital for several years.

Pat finally decided to retire and moved to Mississauga accompanied by her beloved cats. She continued to work as a volunteer at cat rescue and humane societies.

Pat leaves her brothers, Sandy (Marie) and Harry (Jacqui), and her nephew and niece, Alex and Christine Muir and their families. She was always the fun aunt at family occasions with her natural curiosity and her sometimes enhanced additions to family stories.

The family would like to thank the devoted Palliative Home Care organizations in Mississauga for their care and attention during the last year. And special thanks to her condo friends, Betty and Bernice, for their care during the last several months of her illness. Pat would be delighted if you’d like to remember her with a donation to any cat animal rescue or humane society of your choice. Cremation has taken place. A remembrance is planned for later in the fall. Online condolences may be made through www.turnerporter.ca

William John Patterson, of Kingston, passed away peacefully on Oct. 13, 2026, at the age of 96, leaving a large extended family and many longtime friends. Bill is survived by Anne, his wife, and his daughter, Judy (Paul) Barclay. He also leaves behind five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Delores (Pollitt), and by his daughter, Janet South.

Bill was born on Sept. 4, 1930, on the property of Kingston Penitentiary, where his father was the Farm Instructor. He grew up in the old farm house owned by the Pen, which still stands on Sir John A. MacDonald Boulevard. He attended KCVI and then Queen’s, where he majored in History. He graduated with his BA in 1953 and his MA in 1957.

Bill joined the Reserve Army, Princess of Wales Own Regiment, and then transferred to the Regular Army, Canadian Guards. This career took the young family all over, including living in Petawawa, West Germany and England. During this time, Bill and Delores became experts on speedy packing and unpacking. Famously, they would even hang up pictures on their first night in a new home!

In 1965, Bill left the Guards and started a new job as superintendent of Historic Sites for the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, managing Upper Canada Village and Old Fort Henry. He held this job until his retirement in 1987.

He also joined the reserves again, as part of the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders, as well as the militia, in which he achieved the rank of Brigadier General. After retirement, Bill and Delores returned to the Kingston area, where they were very active at St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Barriefield, as well multiple societies and organizations.

Bill had previously done some historical writing, but in retirement, this became his passion. He wrote multiple books, including histories of the PWOR, the Grenadier Guards, Portland Township, St. Mark’s Church, Pittsburgh Township and the SD+G Highlanders. After Delores’s death, Bill was very lonely. Luckily, he met a special woman, Anne, who became his wife and a strong member of his extended family, bringing her family with her. They had over 20 years of a happy marriage.

In early years, they enjoyed travelling together, including a trip to Turkey “in the Steps of St. Paul.” In later years, when Bill’s health failed, Anne was a devoted caregiver.

Bill had a strong love for Queen’s. He was always proud to have attended this university. He was the first generation in his family to do so, but certainly not the last. In September of 2026, his great-grandson, Jack Barclay, started his first year, as a fourth generation student. Great-Grandpa could not have been prouder!

Jim Purdie, 93, passed away on August 31, 2026, in Kingston, Ont., where he resided since 2020.

He was born on January 15, 1933, in Orillia, Ont., to John and Dorothy (Clegg) Purdie, the eldest of two children. He spent his childhood in Kirkland Lake, Ont., and he attended Queen's, where he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering (1955), and where he met and married Elaine Weedmark, his wife of 66 years.

While Jim started his career as an engineer in Niagara Falls, Ont., his restless nature and his quest for knowledge and new experiences led him to jobs in the private and public sectors, including a brief stint as a stock broker in Toronto, running for Alderman in the '70s in Toronto-Beaches, a consultant in Calgary and, returning to his hometown of Kirkland Lake, he taught in the Business department at Northern College for many years.

Jim enjoyed spending time with family and the friends he and Elaine met in many places they lived throughout their marriage.  He was funny, friendly, quick witted and well liked.  As a reader and life-long learner with a peripatetic lifestyle, he had many good stories to tell and was the life of the party.  He loved a good political discussion, participated in meetings and protests and wrote many letters to the editor championing a cause or belief. 

Jim was predeceased by his wife, Elaine, and his brother, Donald Purdie. He is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Purdie, Jocelyn (Gord McRae) Purdie, Judith (Stefan Elliott) Purdie-Elliott; his grandchildren, Jason McCready, Matthew (Catriona) McCready, Nicholas (Julia) McCready, Margot (Cal) King, Erik Elliott; and his great grandchildren, Caleb, Grace and Ryan McCready; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He will be missed by those who were fortunate to have had him in their life. The family would like to thank the staff at St. Lawrence Place Retirement Home and extend gratitude to the doctors, nurses and caregivers at Kingston General Hospital. There will be no service at this time. For those who wish, a donation may be made to Hospice Kingston or a charity of your choice.

It is with sadness that the Ready family announces the death of Eileen Ready (nee Sorensen) in Stirling Park Retirement Home in Ottawa on Sept. 15th, 2026.

She was born in Glostrup, Denmark, on Oct. 12th, 1927, to Miriam Stephens and Maurinus Bonde Sorensen. She was the only daughter in the family with five brothers: Eric; Frank (Betty); Dennis (Hazel and Gloria); Wilfred (Nathalie); and Ben (Joyce).  The family was able to come to Canada just before the occupation of Denmark in 1940 by way of a circuitous route through other Scandinavian countries, the United Kingdom, and the dangerous North Atlantic. They spent the first winter on a farm in Quebec and then came to Kingston, Ont.

She attended Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute and later Queen’s. (She was a Member of Grant Hall Society). She married Vernon Ready, (Arts’44; LLD 1989 and founding Dean of the Faculty of Education at Queen’s) in 1952 and was happily married for 49 years. Eileen was active in the University Women’s Club.  In their later years they also lived in their log home in Snow Road, Ont. Eileen lived alone for 25 years following Vernon’s death – “alone but never lonely” to use her words.

She had two boys, Robert (Artsci'78, MPA'81) (predeceased by Jane Sawczenko, Joanne Leaman), and Eric (Meds'84) (Linda Glover, BNSc'82). She became a grandmother to Geoffrey (Jinney Fu), Chloe (Luis Vincente), Aidan (MPL'17) (Afaf Janjua), Erin (Ryan Weedon), Emily (Artsci/Ed'14) (Timothy Knowles), and Hana (Sc'18, Artsci'21) (James Saucier). She became a great-grandmother to Leo (Chloe and Luis). She was very proud of the lives her grandchildren are building and was thrilled to know that two more grandchildren are on the way. 

Eileen was the generous, caregiving centre of the family. Over the years she worked along side her mother to manage the Kingston house during the war; raised her own two children; helped a multitude of family members, including: her mum and dad, brothers, nephews, nieces, her dear husband Vern, Chloe, Geoff, and Rob, when Jane passed. And she helped out in Lindsay with the care of the Lindsay grandchildren. 

As her health declined in the later years in Kingston, she moved to Ottawa. Rob and Joanne and the Ottawa grandchildren kept a close eye on her and took great care of her. She was a woman who knew her own mind, and she was clear with her instructions to the family. She was able to pass peacefully at Stirling Park in her “home” of eight years with wonderful care and family close by her side. She led an amazing life, saw so many changes in the world over nearly a century and, as she often said, had a “long and happy life.” 

She will be truly missed.

Gwendoline Brickett, assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen's, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2026. Gwendoline Brickett, 93, beloved sister of Joan (the late Robert Ferrier) and Ruth (the late James Robertson). Predeceased by brother, Donald Brickett, and sister-in-law, Kasie; and parents, James and Hilda Brickett. Dear aunt to Kim, Jill, Jim, Jonathan, Janis, Gregory, and their families.

Gwen was born in Parry Sound, Ont. She attended primary, elementary and secondary school there. On finishing high school, she went to North Bay Normal School (teacher’s college). Afterwards, she returned to Parry Sound to teach at Central School. In her spare time, she was also Captain of the Trinity Church Girl Guide Company.

In the early 1960’s, she worked for a short period in Toronto schools, followed by a return to Parry Sound at Isabella Street School. In 1969, she was hired as a consultant with the Frontenac County Board of Education and moved to Kingston, Ont. After several years in that role and having received her Bachelor of Arts,  she was hired by Queen’s as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Education.

In her early years at Queen’s, she commuted to Ottawa in her time off to complete further studies. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of Ottawa as a result of this dedicated study and work. In 1980, Gwen had a sabbatical year at Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge University where she specialized in Early Primary Education. As part of the academic program, she travelled to schools throughout the U.K. She spent holidays and free time with relatives in Kent, and they remember her with affection.

After retirement in the early 1990s, she was asked to set up a Childhood Education program at Shanxi Teachers University in Linfen, China. She travelled there on her own and made friends with some of the teachers, who remained in contact with her over the years. They recall that she contributed her knowledge and skills, which won widespread respect and admiration from Shanxi’s colleagues and students. She is also remembered for her kindness and mentorship.

Following her return to Canada, she continued her association with Queen’s  and the many friends she knew and worked with over the years. She remained in Kingston until 2022, when she moved to Antigonish, Nova Scotia, to reside with her sister, Ruth.

Gwen was always interested in children and involved with Early Childhood Education and Reading programs especially. She loved pets and going to the cottage with family. Her nieces and nephews were very fond of their aunt and always enjoyed spending time with her. Two of her nieces lived with her in Kingston during their university years.

There will be a family memorial and interment in Kanata, Ont. Donations to children’s charities and causes including organizations that promote reading, Save the Children, World Vision, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Canada would be appreciated in Gwen’s memory.

Melba Shaver passed away peacefully in her 99th year on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, at Cambridge Memorial Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family and her son, Rod, and granddaughter, Lexy, holding her hands.

Melba was the beloved mother of Rod (Annie) and cherished grandmother of Lexy, who brought her immense pride and joy. She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Shaver (BA'49); her parents, WG and Grace; and her siblings, Alma, Shirley, Ian, Billy, and Cam.

Melba shared 25 remarkable years of adventure with her longtime friend, Otha. After both were widowed, they chose to embrace life fully and explore the world together. From Iceland to African safaris, from Japan to New Zealand, there were few places on the planet the pair did not visit.

Melba also treasured her summers at the cottage, a tradition that began in 1959. After her husband’s retirement in the 1970s, they spent each summer there together enjoying peaceful days and family time.

She was especially proud of her granddaughter, Lexy, following in her footsteps by attending Queen’s – continuing a legacy that meant so much to her.