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July 22, 1950 - January 3, 2019
At 11:20 am on Thursday, January 3rd, at Laurel Place Hospice in Surrey, Patricia Whitehead, the light and hope of many, flew west. She did not want to die, and her despair in leaving was exceeded only by the love she held in her heart, and the kindness she expressed for those who were blessed to know her. If you did not know her, may you feel the lack.

Born in Victoria the middle child of Kathleen (Kay) Sedgeley Hazlette and John Desmond Hazlette, sister to Jeanne and Elizabeth, her childhood was in Salmon Arm, where she graduated from high school in 1968. She married Ernest W. Whitehead, of Eagle Bay, BC, in 1970, and their beloved son Stephen was born in 1985. Ernie, an airline pilot with PWA, Canadian, and Air Canada, died in 2008.

Patricia went back to school during her marriage to Ernie and received her BA from SFU, and a Bachelor of Social Work (1985) from UBC. An exceptionally gifted student, she was encouraged by her professors to complete a PhD program in psychology. After her son was raised she was pleased to return to work with Calgary Family Services as a Registered Social Worker. In 2009 she finished studies in Gerontology at Mount Royal University.

Survived by her loving son Stephen Whitehead, devoted husband Wayne Ralph, sister Elizabeth Hazlette (Phillip Tidd), sister Jeanne Desmond, stepsister Betty Callaway, niece Jenn Oliver (Mike), nephew Joe Desmond (Laurie Seely), great nephew Jude Desmond. No service or celebration of life by her request. Her ashes will be placed near her mother's at Royal Oak Burial Park in Victoria.

Since moving to White Rock in 2013 Patricia participated in White Rock/South Surrey Newcomers Club where she made many friends. Her Growing Deeper philosophy group, and White Rock Book Club, were a source of comfort to her, as well as her participation in Unity and CSL.

She was a woman with all the talent to have been a professional in any endeavour. She chose to be an exceptional mother to her son, and all her son's friends, a caring and devoted wife, and among the kindest of people. "Be kind because we are all fighting a great battle."