October 28, 1934 - February 28, 2021
Pat (don't call her Patricia) Higgins was born October 28th, 1934 and passed away peacefully with her son David and daughter Nicola by her side on February 28th, 2021 from complications of Parkinson's disease and COVID-19.
Pat was born in London, England, prior to World War II. She was educated by nuns in Kent, England. She later became certified as a midwife, riding around southern England on a scooter to deliver babies in 1959.
1961 saw Pat certify as a "Chest Nurse" in Victoria Park Hospital, England. Pat used her certification as a nurse to allow her to do what she loved - something she would spend the next 50 years doing - which was traveling around the world.
After beginning her nursing career in London (England), Pat and her sister Chris went on to nurse in New York City at Mount Sinai hospital. On her off time, Pat was able to explore most of the US by Greyhound.
Pat and her sister immigrated to Canada in 1963, landing in Vancouver B.C. It was in Vancouver that she met her husband-to-be George Higgins. After marrying in Vancouver, the couple moved to Kelowna, B.C. in 1968 and started a family.
Along with raising her three children - John, David, and Nicola - Pat was also very passionate about her art. She obtained a Diploma in Fine Arts from Okanagan College and belonged to numerous artists' groups (including the Kelowna Watercolor Guild and the Watercolor Studio). It is through these art groups that Pat developed friendships that brought her much joy and companionship.
Pat kept very active in the Kelowna community by volunteering for her kids' soccer and swim teams, an ardent member of the Toastmistresses club, and hiking with the naturalists' club. Pat's love of travel and art continued into her later years: She took a number of trips to visit family and friends in the UK, toured parts of Europe, took cruises to Alaska, painting trips to China, and explored Australia.
In her remaining years, Pat spent much of her time painting with friends, walking with her beloved dog, Emma, and enjoying life in Mission Villas on Gordon Drive.
Pat was predeceased by her husband, George Higgins, and will be fondly remembered by her children Nicola Diaz (Alejandro), David Higgins (Brandi), and her four grandsons (Kieran Higgins; Harrison, Parker, and Beckett Diaz), her sisters Chris Chew (and family) and Jacquie Harris (and family) and the Higgins family.
Pat will be laid to rest alongside her husband George at Lakeview Memorial Gardens with a memorial to be held at a later date.