Pat McCracken passed away peacefully on October 29th, at the age of 101. Pat was born on May 24, 1919, in Toronto, the only daughter of Frederick and Kathleen Barry. She attended Loretto College on Brunswick Avenue in Toronto from Grade One to Grade Thirteen. In her latter years at Loretto, Pat was active in school plays, and also acted in plays at St. Michael’s College School. After graduation, and after a short period working as a comptometer operator (which wasn’t nearly as much fun as acting), she was hired as an on-air actress at CBC Radio and was one of the original members of ACTRA.
In 1946, Pat married Wilfred McCracken who passed away in 1996. She will be greatly missed by their four daughters, Patty (Randy), Linda, Sharon (Bill) and Colleen (Patrick). Nana will also be missed by her wonderful grandchildren, Ryan, Alison (Jeff), Jessie (Shaun), Katie (Erik), Fiona (Jesse) and Bridget (Dylan), as well as her much-loved great grandchildren, Hudson, Alexis, Sofia and Libertad (and their parents, Jamie Deans and Ivette Orellana), Brooke and Hannah, Caellum, Etta and Wolfy. Sadly, her granddaughter, Erin Deans, passed away in 2013. Pat will also be missed by all her good friends at Loyola Arupe.
Pat was active throughout her life in many volunteer organizations, including the Toronto Symphony, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Goodwill Volunteer Services and the Eisenhower/Betty Ford Centre in Palm Springs. She was a Life Member of Goodwill. She had a love of collectibles and antiques and used her knowledge to help generate funds for these organizations at their regular sales. Her expertise helped to raise a million dollars for the Eisenhauer Hospital through its Collectors’ Corner. Pat loved old movies, classical music, and was an avid reader. She had a remarkable memory well into her hundredth year. It was hard to put anything over on her.
We would like to thank Dr. Richard Mah and his assistant Maria for their kindness and attentiveness to our Mom. We would also like to thank all Pat’s friends, and the staff and caregivers at Loyola Arupe who were so kind to her over the years. Our thanks, as well, go to all the staff and caregivers at Lakeshore Lodge where Pat lived for the past year and a half. Their hard work and kindness helped to protect our Mother and keep her safe during the difficult months we have all experienced since last March.
If you would like to remember Pat’s life by making a donation, please consider a contribution to Diabetes Canada.
In view of the COVID restrictions, we will have a private family internment, and will celebrate Pat’s life more fully at a later date.