Obituary

Of Harriston, passed away at Caressant Care, Harriston, on Thursday, March 23, 2023, one week after her 93rd birthday. Loving wife of the late Donald Raftis (2011). Mother of Kathy and Paul Rank, and Judy Downey, all of Owen Sound, Jane and George Bilof of Oakville, and Patrick and Peggy Raftis, and Paul Raftis, all of Harriston, and Jamie and Karen Raftis of Palmerston. Remembered by her grandchildren Joel Rank and Shaye Moffat of Ottawa, Brandon Rank of Kitchener, Jared and Sarah Rank of Waterloo, Jessica and Curtis Jenkins of Ramara, Matthew Downey and Vanessa Tran of Toronto, Brent Downey of Calgary, Nicholas and Sara Bilof of Vancouver, Daniel Bilof  of Wiarton, Ellaina Bilof of Oakville, and Megan Raftis of Harriston, Christopher Raftis and Michelle Cuomo of Toronto, Braeden Raftis of Kitchener, Erin Raftis of Kitchener, Allison and Mitchell Harris of Varney, Brooklyn Copland Raftis and Mark Hedley of Teeswater, and Kiersten Raftis of Palmerston, and by her great-grandchildren Charlie, Hazel, Clara, Henry, Rachel, Sabrina, and Alexander. Predeceased by her parents John and Annie (Clarke) Hamilton, sister Helen DeClarke, and by brothers Leo Hamilton, Ray Hamilton, Jim Hamilton, and Patrick Hamilton. Born at Berkley, Ontario, on March 17, 1930, Patricia shared a St. Patrick’s Day birthday with her brother Pat and grew up on the family farm in Grey County. After finishing high school, she attended Normal School, after which she taught for a time in a one-room school house in the Kenilworth area. She also worked in a bank, before settling in to raise six children with her husband Don. A devoted church-goer, Patricia enjoyed music, visits with friends and family, and games like euchre and bingo. Visitation was held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston, on Tuesday from 2:00-4:00 and 6:00-8:00pm with prayers at 1:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, Harriston, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at 11:00am. Reception to follow at Harriston Legion. Interment in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Kenilworth. Memorial donations to Palmerston Hospital or the Alzheimer Society would be appreciated.  Online condolences at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com