Remembering Patricia Milan

Barry’s Bay resident Patricia Milan died peacefully on Sunday, June 7 at the age of 69 years surrounded by her family members. The Seat of Wisdom College community remembers her as a beloved fine arts instructor (2004-2012) and friend to the college since its beginning. SWC Asst. Professor of Theology John Paul Meenan wrote on the college’s website that her teaching inspired “many students in a love of all things artistic…. Her works include many religious themes – the chapel of the Franciscans at Kaszuby outside Barry’s Bay holds a number of her works – but she also completed still-lifes and nature scenes, evocative in vibrant colours.”

Meenan said, “The students of those years loved ‘Mrs. Milan.’ It was with sorrow that she shared her diagnosis of cancer in 2009, which, after a rigorous treatment, she managed to beat, living in good health to see her eight children grow up and her twenty-six grandchildren (including current SWC student, Daniel) – with three more on the way! Hence, it was with double sorrow that we all heard the cancer returned earlier this year, terminal, which she faced not only bravely, but gracefully, peacefully, even joyfully, as this writer can attest in the second last conversation he had with her, as she discussed facing what was diagnosed to be a difficult death, which left him in awe – if only we all could have half her spirit and serenity. Patricia leaves behind a legacy of a life well and fully lived, her measure full and flowing over.”

The importance of family to Patricia can be seen in her obituary on the Heubner Funeral Home website:

Patricia will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 49 years, Marek and her children, Matthew (Anna), Christina, Michael, Cecilia (Darryl), Max, Kateri (Dave), Sharon-Rose (Jacob) and Sean (Riane); along with her twenty-six grandchildren, Sora, Cayce, Innis, Elijah, Christian, Daniel, Cadence, Clark, Zachary, Silken, Finn, Micah, Luke, Erik, Simon, Gabriel, Evita, Audrey, Aydriad, Reyna, Novena, baby Martin A, baby Martin B, Lovat, Marila, baby Fraser, Joseph, Benjamin and Jane. Patricia will be fondly remembered by her brother John and sisters Mary-Lou, Rosalie, Laura, and Holly, along with her many dear friends.

Born to the late Patricia O’Dea Anderson and Huck Anderson in Toronto, she was the third oldest of seven children.

Her elementary education was at St. Mary of the Angels in Rosebank, ON and her First Communion at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Windsor, ON. Patricia graduated from Danforth Collegiate and Technical Institute, formerly Danforth Technical School in 1969, and continued her education at Ontario College of Art and Design University receiving a Diploma (4 years) in Communication and Design, in 1972.

Patricia was very passionate about her vocation to motherhood and devotion to the Pro-Life movement. Her talent as an artist led her to many midnight artistic endeavors producing portraits, Lives of the Saints paper-dolls, still-life, landscapes and religious paintings. Patricia was also an Instructor at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Barry’s Bay where she taught Fine Arts (2004-2012) and Intro to Studio: Design (2009-2010). 

Patricia loved her family, instilling in them gratitude for the gift of life. Close to her heart were her siblings, nieces, nephews and Godchildren. Her wonderful sense of humor, vivacious joy and calming wisdom made all those who encountered her feel loved. 

I don’t remember meeting Patricia 50 years ago when we both attended Ontario College of Art and Design. I do remember meeting her husband, Marek, back when my friends and I approached him to arrange an exhibition in the College’s art gallery – but Marek doesn’t remember me. But the three of us met a few years ago at South of 60 Arts Centre, the former gallery at the Railway Station in Barry’s Bay. When Patricia and I discovered that we could have been student colleagues decades earlier, we spent some fun time reminiscing about teachers we’d had, and shared stories of how we both ended up here in the Valley. Eventually I encouraged her to submit paintings for upcoming exhibitions I was curating. And that’s how I came to have the photo (inset) of her miniature icon she called Mother of Tenderness. Patricia explained that it wasn’t really an icon, or at least not a traditional one, but that she liked it, and the heart shape was kind of romantic and suited the name she’d given it. I recall many visitors were touched by it. But mostly I remember how excited she was to be painting again after her first bout with cancer, and how at every opportunity she would encourage her children and grandchildren to be creative.