Patricia Doreen (Grinyer) Ridgway

Patricia Doreen Ridgway, née Grinyer, is now free from the torments of dementia. She died in her sleep on August 7, 2022, aged 90, and is finally at peace.

She leaves seven children; Anthony (Joyce), Jonathan (Manuela), Michael, Melinda (Bryan), Peter (Mary), Simon and Brian (Nancy); thirteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, all in Canada; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews in the United Kingdom and beyond.

Patricia is predeceased by the love of her life, Allan, her mother and father, Amelia and Percy Grinyer, and her elder brothers by birth, Ronald, and Eric; but also, many brothers and sisters adopted or fostered by her parents, of whom her longest and closest ties were with Nannette.

Patricia was born in Manchester, England. She grew up in Wythenshawe, where she met Allan at an early age. They were married in 1951. Following university in London, she began establishing her career as a speech language pathologist (SLP) in Manchester while raising an ever-growing family. In 1964 they immigrated to Canada with six children (a seventh to follow) to explore new horizons, eventually making Dorval, Québec, their home.

Patricia had a brilliant career as an SLP in England and Canada and touched the lives of so many in an immensely positive way. She completed a master’s degree at McGill University soon after immigrating to Canada and progressed in her career to become Head of the Speech Pathology Department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Montréal, where she mentored many SLP trainees. Her expertise was uncommonly broad covering childhood speech development, and remediation for those affected by medical conditions arising from disease, surgery, and physical injury. After retiring from her position, she continued to help others through private practice.

Patricia was actively involved with Dorval Minor Soccer, helping to establish the girls’ program in the early 1970’s. She also became an accomplished competitive ballroom dancer and used her talent to teach Ballroom and Latin dancing. In her later years she rekindled her love of acting, performing with the Lakeshore Players in Dorval. After one of her children was diagnosed with schizophrenia, she devoted herself to his care at home for decades and worked extensively with “Friends for Mental Health, West Island”.

Patricia was in her element with her grandchildren (Tanya, Jessica, Matthew, Kevin, Krystal, Christine, Heather, Michelle, Stephen, Michael, Chelsea, David, and Kaitlyn); babysitting, tutoring, and always providing encouragement. She understood the importance of early learning and she did her best to provide and/or support this for all her children and grandchildren. Patricia is especially remembered by her grandchildren for directing “plays” and “concerts” that were a feature whenever the cousins assembled for the many holiday gatherings held at “nana’s house”.

For health reasons, after 43 years in Dorval, Patricia moved to a retirement residence in Ottawa. We are grateful for the three years of loving and professional care she received at Symphony Kanata.

At times like this, many like to take the opportunity to donate, in memoriam, to a worthy cause, and if you are so inclined, and in lieu of flowers, please consider: as a tribute to Patricia and her career, “SCWIST: Society for Canadian Women in Science & Technology” (https://scwist.ca/get-involved/donate/); or reflecting her passion and interests, “Les Amis de la santé mentale - Friends for Mental Health, West Island” (https://www.asmfmh.org/en/don/) or “Lakeshore Players Dorval Inc.” (https://lakeshoreplayersdorval.com/about-lakeshore/support-lakeshore-players); or a charity of your own choosing.

There have been no visitations or funeral services but family members are planning a gathering for a celebration of Patricia’s life at a date which has yet to be determined.