Patricia Massy (nee Nettelfield) passed away at the age of 102, at the Lady Minto Extended Care Unit, surrounded by her children, on July 20, 2025.
Born on March 18, 1923, Patricia was predeceased by her husband, David, and her son, Peter. She is lovingly remembered by her children, Jane (Lyle), Valerie (Gerald), Tony (Gail), William (Janet), and Richard (Jane), 16 grandchildren and their spouses, 27 great grandchildren and many other extended family and friends.
Patricia lived an amazing life. A British war veteran in the Intelligence Corps, she married David in 1944, and travelled on the Queen Mary with her three-month-old daughter, Jane, to join him in Canada in 1946. David’s teaching took them to various communities in BC and Quebec before settling with their six children in Victoria.
After raising her family, Patricia served as CRD Director for View Royal for several terms before moving to Salt Spring with David in 1985. Among other community activities, she coordinated volunteers for the Salt Spring Library and sat on the library board. She was a founding member of the Island Watch and was part of the APC of the Island Trust. Together with David she volunteered with Hospice for many years and she was always proud of the ribbons she won at the Fall Fair for her auriculas.
We have fond memories of her labradors, cats, compost piles and fertile gardens. As the matriarch of our family, her love of the earth, support for organizations like Green Peace, The CCPA, Eco Justice Canada and the Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, have given us all a strong legacy of environmental and community responsibility, and social justice.
Her ashes have been scattered in the beautiful Salt Spring Natural Cemetery according to her wishes.
One of the greatest privileges in our lives was knowing Pat. A neighbour and friend.
Taylor and Louise