Obituary of Patricia Noreen Holton

The family of Patricia (Pat) Noreen Holton wish to announce her passing on 7 June 2024 in Fredericton in her 85th year.

Pat was born in Halifax on 17 March 1940 to Frank and Hazel (Woods) Barnaby, the fourth of 8 children. She was raised by the Sisters of Charity at St Joseph’s Orphanage, Halifax.

Pat loved and was loved by her family.  Pat moved to Campbellton, NB in 1965 where she met her husband, Ernest (Ernie) Holton.  Ernie and Pat were married in 1967 and enjoyed a life working and raising a family together for 55 years until Ernie’s passing in 2022.  Pat was so proud of her family. She was a loving mother to and is survived by her four children Rick (Colleen), Greg, Sue, and Bill (Jennifer), grandchildren Jenny, Doug (Ashley), Alex, Patty, Scott, Ben, Aidan and Jake, great-grandchildren Anna and Allie, and sisters Marie (with whom she shared a special bond), Shirley, and Donna, and dear friend and confidant, Marilyn Arseneau.  Pat was pre-deceased by her parents, husband Ernie, brothers Frank, Fred, and Bill, and sister Marilyn.  Pat will be greatly missed by all.

Patricia graduated high school from St Pat’s High School, Halifax and later went on to earn a BA (1977) and B Ed (1984) from Mount St Vincent University, Halifax.  Pat found her calling as a teacher and concentrated her instruction at the elementary school level.  Her teaching career took to her to New York City, in the area of Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and, for the majority of her career, in Campbellton, New Brunswick.

In her spare time, Pat liked to read, do crossword puzzles, needlepoint, and playing any “one-armed bandit” (especially during her trips to Las Vegas). Her true passion though was singing.  She was a proud member of the Chaleur Echoes Ladies’ Choir of the Campbellton – Dalhousie region and sang with this group for 24 years.  Throughout this time, the Chaleur Echoes participated in many national and international singing competitions and were very successful at these events.  After Pat and Ernie moved to New Maryland in 2006, she sang with the Fredericton Ladies’ Choir for another 10 years, participating in many local public concerts with the Choir.

Pat’s family will receive visitors at McAdam’s Funeral Home, 160 York Street, Fredericton, on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 from 6-8 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Sts. John and Paul Roman Catholic Church, New Maryland, on Wednesday, 12 June at 11:00 AM with Fr. Peter Osborne as celebrant. A reception in the church basement will follow. Interment will take place at Rockland Cemetery, McAdam, NB at 3:00 PM. For those unable to attend the service a recording may be found at the following link: https://vimeo.com/957378652?share=copy

Floral arrangements are welcome but, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Canadian Cancer Society would also be welcome.