Obituary of Patricia Anne Clahane

Patricia Anne Clahane (aka; Patsy, Patty, Sis, Red, Aunt Patsy & by times Junior Jean, much to her chagrin) aged 66 of Bedford passed away on May 6th 2023. Born in Halifax on March 20, 1957 she grew up in Bedford and spent a happy childhood there in the Maple Street family home. The world has lost one of the biggest hearts and smiles today. Patsy is survived by her brothers, Kenneth (Patricia) of Waverley, Paul (Ann) of Bedford, Robert of Bedford and Timothy (Lori) of Bridgewater; niece, Erin, nephews, Adam, Eric, Phillip, Matthew and Ben. She was predeceased by her parents, Jean Mae (Coxhead) Clahane and Kenneth David Clahane; and by the love of her life, Rex Kenneth Reid. In 1980 in her early 20’s Patsy joined Paul in Edmonton, not long after, in April of 1981 they got together with a couple of other Nova Scotians at a shared house on the south side they called “The Embassy”. Soon after more Maritimers moved in including her brother Tim. The original 5 grew to 9. After a time Patsy moved to Hamilton and eventually back to Bedford around 1988. She then had a 27 year career as a server at Jim’s Family Restaurant on the Bedford Highway, Patsy adored Jim, his wife Bessie and their children, she described them as her second family. In 1989 Patsy and Rex found one another and never looked back. They lived in Bedford and moved around a bit for Rex’s work to places like Labrador City, Nfld & Labrador and most recently, Whitecourt, Alberta. After Rex’s unexpected death in March of 2019 Patsy found herself back home in Bedford. She was grateful to Paul and Ann for helping her to navigate those first few difficult months and restart her life. Her peace of mind and independence grew. She got a job and worked at the Bulk Barn in Bedford until she retired in December of 2021. Patsy delighted in the comfy little home she shared with her new puppy “Miss Bernice”. She welcomed catching up and spending weekends with her brother Bob. She loved the many, many fun times spent with her best friend Katie as well as peaceful moments at home with Miss Bernice snuggled in on her lap in front of the television. She loved dancing, music, her friends and “my boys” as she called her brothers. Her niece and nephews meant the world to her, she was so proud of them and she loved hearing about all the things going on in their lives. Patsy’s beauty ran deep, inside and out. She had that sparkle in her eyes, that immediately pulled people to her, she was loyal, generous, funny, forgiving and determined. She has said more than once in recent weeks that she lived her life the way she wanted, on her terms and says she has “not one regret” Family and friends surrounded Patsy from the moment of her cancer diagnosis last August. Her brother Bobby spent most every night and most weekends with her during her illness, and was there in October when she had to be rushed to hospital in the middle of the night. Patsy called her sister-in-law Ann, her ‘guardian angel’. For six months Ann was beside Patsy almost every daylight hour and many nights, then 24/7 during Patsy’s final days at the VG. Her journey was a lesson in unconditional love. A celebration of Patsy’s life, joys & friendships will take place at the Riverside Pub, 1552 Bedford Highway, Bedford on May 28th from 1:00 pm to _4:00 pm. Come join us in raising a glass to her. If you are thinking of a memorial donation please consider Beacon House Food Bank or an Animal Shelter.