Obituary of Patricia Alberta Tobias
It is with sadness that the family of Patricia Tobias must announce her passing which took place on the 29th of May in her home in Grand Bay, New Brunswick. Born in Saint John on the 31st of May 1945, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Grace (Campbell) Cooke and sister of the late William Cooke.
She was raised in the North End of Saint John and attended Saint John High School in the 1960s.
She married Robert Tobias and soon after, the pair settled in Grand Bay on the sight of her family’s former summer camp and started their family. Although it is a calling that in those days was just beginning to fall from esteem, she turned her energy to the care and well-being of her family and made a real home of a simple house. She gave support and guidance and made certain that her children grew up with freedom and the sense of responsibility required to manage it. She will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother who was present for every moment - with either a stern word or (the more likely) a piece of apple pie. As a grandmother, she doted and baked and showered the children of her children with warmth and a spirit of fun and wonder.
An independent and decent woman, Pat was appreciated for her no-nonsense sense of humour and honesty as well as for her realistic approach to life and wisdom to embrace the simple things. She enjoyed a good book (or a bad one), a healthy argument, and a nice walk in the sun or rain. She adored the summer hummingbirds and made a pretense of cursing winter snow – which she was (often enough) pleased to shovel away in the quiet of any winter morning. She was respected for living life on her own terms and will be greatly missed by friends and family.
She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Robert Tobias in 2014 and is survived by her children Leigh Gray and her husband Steve and Thomas Tobias and his wife Minh; as well as by her grandchildren Keeghan, Grace and Claire. She also loved her extended family Dylan Gray, Frances Gray and Violet Gray.
The family would like to extend appreciation to the people of the old neighbourhood with whom she shared kindnesses over the years.
No visitation as per her request, burial to follow at a later date at Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (506-634-7424).
