Obituary of Patricia Anne Garner Houghton

November 15, 1939 - Kirkcaldy, Scotland
May 31, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce that under the stars of the night sky on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, Patricia passed away peacefully with family by her side in her 84th year. 

Patricia will forever be remembered as a beautifully kind soul full of grace, poise and she rejoiced in all facets of her life. A true friend at her core to all that crossed her path, and she lived her life to the fullest. 

Pat was born in Kirkcaldy, Markinch on the east coast of Scotland north of Edinburgh, at the start of World War II. She would tell engaging stories of going to school wearing a Mickey Mouse gas mask, the bomb shelter at her school, the gypsies they had to avoid on the walk to and from school and how they had food ration stamps that her Mum would save just to have enough butter at Christmas to make shortbread. Pat held a spot in her heart for her Scottish roots – her ‘homeland’ as she would say. She still has many family members that reside in Scotland.

In 1945, her father Jack (Tex) Houghton had completed his service term with the Allied armed forces and sent for Pat and her Mum to join him in Canada. On June 14th, 1945, Pat and her Mum embarked on a large ship called the ‘Independence’ to make the 21-day journey crossing the Atlantic Ocean arriving on July 6th at Pier 21 in Halifax. She had to leave behind many of her favorite possessions, but one dolly and a little bear were able to make the journey. She had wonderful stories of her time on the boat from her dining with the lieutenants and trying to read books that had many pages torn out, inventing many of the details. The beds were hard, and they went through many days filled with storms and large waves that made her mother very sick. Once arriving in Canada, they travelled by train to finally meet her Dad in Calgary where they settled in a war time house, that still stands today in Hillhurst. Some highlights from her arrival was tasting a banana and an orange for the first time to which she tried to eat both with the peel on. Everyone asked to hear Pat speak as her little Scottish accent was delightful to her Canadian family. Patricia proudly became a Canadian citizen – holding a dual citizenship for her lifetime. 

Patricia attended James Short School and Bow Valley School, followed by grade 7-9 at Queens Hall School for girls in Vancouver. This was a boarding school where Pat met many of her friends she still has today. From there, Pat attended Mount Royal College – then on 8th Avenue and 11th Street for high school. She graduated in 1957. 

After high school, Pat began her studies at the Calgary General Hospital to become an x-ray technician. On June 3, 1961, Pat graduated from the Canadian Society of Radiological Technicians. So many wonderful stories were told of her time at school and working in many places around the world. Pat worked at The Calgary General Hospital, The Banff hospital, The Kamloops Royal Inland hospital, The Edinburgh General Hospital, and in Basel, Switzerland. 

In 1974, she met the love of her life, Millard (Mid) Houghton. It didn’t take long for them to know they were meant to share a life together. They were engaged on September 18, 1974, at Hy’s Steakhouse. They were married that same year on the winter solstice, December 21, 1974 – the longest night of the year.

Pat and Mid travelled and cruised extensively, they shared so many incredible adventures together and with family and friends. There was always a spot for an additional traveler if Pat was going anywhere.  

Pat loved being present, ‘Today is a gift’, she would say. She had a boundless enthusiasm for life, an unforgettable laugh and a gentle voice that made everything feel right again. In addition to her infectious love for life, she had a wonderfully funny personality. She was a true ‘hostess with the most-ess’, DIY crafter, green-thumb gardener, extraordinary cook, animal lover, chick-flick movie watcher, card game winner and musical enthusiast. She loved to ski (both downhill and cross country), five pin bowl (she won club champion two years in a row), excellent seamstress, knitter and she always had a place at the table or an ear to lend to anyone who needed her. She loved spending time with family and friends making memories that are now etched in our hearts.

Patricia will also be fondly remembered and admired for the countless hours she gave as a volunteer in the figure skating world, at her church and within her community. Pat made costumes for skating carnivals, helped with test days, was on the board and chaired an annual skating competition called CODA (she won volunteer of the year through Skate Canada twice). Patricia had a strong faith and was always part of new initiatives within her church. Pat was always willing to lend a hand, from the welcoming table to the singles luncheons or cooking a good meal for the volunteers around the church. Her passion for each and everything she got involved in was beautiful to witness. 

A loving daughter, wife, mother, sister-in-law, auntie, nana, grand-nana, great-grand-nana, cousin and friend to all that had the pleasure of getting to know her. Patricia is survived by her combined family of children, Laurie Evans of Nanaimo, Allan (Janice) of Nanaimo, Nancy (Ron) of Alabama, Cheryl (Sherwood Park), Tracy (Mark) Higgins of Nanaimo and Carolyn (Chris) Grabill of Calgary; fifteen grandchildren, seventeen (plus one on the way) great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Ron Johnson; mother-in-law Frances Houghton (nee Kozak); and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Jack and Annie (nee Barclay) Houghton, her loving husband of 40 years Millard ‘Mid” Houghton, her father and mother-in-law; Gordon and Mona Houghton, son James Houghton, granddaughter Jennifer Evans-Michael, sister-in-Law Mona Johnson, and son-in-law Tom Renyard. Patricia was especially proud of her large family and their many accomplishments.

Patricia would want you all to know she truly felt blessed for the beautiful life she led. Her unwavering presence will be profoundly missed, but never ever forgotten.  

Memorial Service will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church (903 – 75th Avenue S.W., Calgary, AB) on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. Reception to follow in the Cormack Hall at the church. Condolences, memories, and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Patricia Houghton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.

Click Here to View Patricia Houghton's Memorial Card