Phyllis Patricia Harris (Howard)
Pat Harris was born March 29, 1929, in Moose Jaw to Ralph Allen and Sarah Isabell (Haight) Howard. They lived on a farm just outside of Brownlee, Sask.. A child of the depression and drought, she soon learned to ask if any cloud that appeared looked like rain. Her early companions were extended family and cats, both of which she loved throughout her life. When she was 10, she gained a new companion, her brother John Allen who she looked after until she left for higher education. Their close relationship lasted their entire lives.
Pat’s lifelong love of education started with teaching classrooms of dolls, cats or friends. Against her father’s wishes she attended Normal School followed by time at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon (eventually receiving a B.Ed (distinction) after years of summer school and night classes). Her specialty in language arts gave her the opportunity of teaching hundreds of non-readers, for whom she crafted individual reading programs, according to their individual needs. Her love of teaching and learning continued her entire life with bible studies, especially Bethel at Minto United Church.
While training to be a teacher, Pat met Edward North Harris, fell in love and married in 1951. Daughter Pamela Valerie was born in 1952, followed by son Kim Howard in 1955. After staying home while her children were young, she retuned to teaching in 1960 with her two children.
Pat was a kind, caring, compassionate and generous person. For many of her less fortunate pupils, her care was perhaps their first interaction with kindness. Many of those children continued to receive her kindness late into her life. For her family, friends and community, that compassion and her ability to actively listen was what we relied on in difficult times. She contributed generously in time and money to her church (Minto), environmental causes and peace initiatives.
After the early death of her husband Ted, Pat moved to Moose Jaw to assist in the care of her mother. There she joined Minto Church, travelled, started a garden and enjoyed being close to her extended family. When she quit travelling she adopted 3 cats who lived with her for the next 22 years. In 2022, she moved to the west coast with her 3 cats to be with her son and daughter, but missed everything from the prairies and remained a prairie rose.
Pat is predeceased by her husband, Ted, parents, Sally and Ralph and brother John Howard. She is survived by her children Pamela and Kim, sister in law Ruth Howard (and her children Mark, Susan (Raider) and Peter and their children Chris, Lucas, Chantel, Desi, Max and Sam). She is also survived by her brother in law and sister in law Don and Shirley Stockton and their family (Donna, Phyllis, Dwight, Sheila, Lorna and Joe). She also leaves her beloved Kindred Sisters, Minto Church and congregation and dear friend Leone Townend.
John Carley Wrote: “Your mom was a profound inspiration to me through her kindness, support, generosity and example. Her legacy of love and faith will remain with so many people whose lives she touched along the way. Your mom’s gentle spirit gave voice to a heart of compassion and a fierce independence founded on her steady trust in God’s goodness and grace. She is now free at last to begin her new adventure of the spirit in heavenly realms. She will be missed but forever in our hearts and our memories.”