Sending all our love and our deepest condolences to Sean, Michael, Lindsay and Ellie.

I have uploaded a picture of Aunt Mary with our oldest daughter, (Mary’s great niece) Isabella, which was taken on one of her many visits back home to Belfast. When she was over here, Mary would happily spend hours playing with all of our children and you could see the genuine affection she held for them all. Although, we didn’t get to see her as often as we all would have liked, Mary always stayed in contact. In particular, Mary loved to send pictures of the wonderful winter snow that you get in Canada. She knew that our kids loved to dream of playing in the deep snow that we never get over here in Ireland! Our kids often talked about visiting Auntie Mary’s “planet” and Mary would always tell us that she would have them over anytime! It’s so sad to think that they won’t get the chance to see her in Canada.

Although, thousands of miles away, Mary was always close at hand. She was on the phone and emailing when our Mum, her sister Kathleen, took suddenly ill in November, and throughout the last months she had been regularly checking that everyone over here were keeping safe and doing ok. This was typical of her caring and compassionate nature.

It was obvious that Mary was so proud of both of you boys, and she was always keeping us up to date with everything going on in your lives. She clearly held a special place in her heart for Lindsay, and she was so delighted when she became a Granny to her precious Ellie last year. She proudly sent us photographs, videos and regular updates of how Ellie was getting on. Ellie was clearly the apple of her Granny Mary’s eye.

We will never forget Mary’s kindness and generosity to our family over the years. She was a formidable woman with a huge heart and she will be so sadly missed by all of us.

Our hearts are breaking that we can’t be with you guys during this tough time, but we will all be together today here in Belfast to watch your Mum’s ceremony online. Please know that you will all be in our thoughts and prayers.

Loved and missed by Michael, Paula, Isabella, Maria, Michael and Oliver xxx

Mary memory

Hello friends and family, this is a tough write up because Mary was so dynamic that there is no way to express all the things she meant to me.

First off she is a wonderful mother and wife with a family that has special place in my heart that will never be replaced by anyone else. She is such a good mother and caregiver that not only would her own children come to her for guidance or love that other children would do the same. She kept her home as open as her heart always was to assist everyone with any problem or just to give an ear for someone to vent. In my case I was such a main stay at the Patterson home that I think Mary started making more food because she knew Brian might be around at supper time. I didn’t do that on purpose and I did have a wonderful meal at home from my mother but I did love sharing a meal with the Patterson family. I learned not before the meal but to eat salad after the meal :)

The atmosphere that she kept in the home was of love, compassion, laughter, guidance, happiness and health. Which as a young child through to an adult I consider her a mother figure even with my own loving mother around.

Mary was one of the first people to welcome my son Lynx into the world and made sure he would always be warm with hand knitted blankets which he still uses 2 years later.

One memory/philosophy of the way Mary lived her life was to not dwell on the small things, love everyone like they are your close family and enrich your life by keeping your loved ones close and no matter how much or little you are able to be around those people the next time you see them the hugs and kisses are strong and like you just saw them yesterday but also like you might not see them for a while.

I know that Mary Patterson will be with all of us that knew her and were witness and benefit to all of her unrelenting culture of helping others. However I do feel sorry that the community and world will not be able to know or collaborate with her to make positive changes to lives. She never judged anyone and always looked past everyone’s personal issues to help all with her hard work, love, dedication and free spirit.

I will never forget her but my wife, son will always keep her memories alive.

My deepest condolences, prayers to be strong and love are sent to the whole Patterson family around the world. Keep your head up because that’s what Mary would have wanted.

Mary I will see you when I get there. Save me a plate!

Love Brian Baynit, Ana Baynit and Lynx Baynit

I am heartbroken for your loss Sean, Michael and your entire family. Mary truly was the easiest person to talk to no matter how much time had passed. The kindness and compassion embodied by her children was a true testament to what an amazing mother and person she was. I am sharing a photo of my daughter Aila in the beautiful baby blanket she knitted. After finding out it was the only blanket Aila slept with, she generously knitted a second identical travel size blanket. May you Rest In Peace and continue to watch over your loved ones hand in hand with Peter. Much love to the whole family.