Patricia Johnson, born Hillsport, ON, April 12, 1937; died Markham, ON, July 26, 2015.

Beloved mother, passionate opera lover, motorcycle enthusiast, detailed accountant, Elvis fanatic — Patricia Johnson was so many things, and extraordinary in so many ways.

A lifelong skiing fan, Patricia was born in the aptly-named town of Hillsport, Ontario, in 1937, and grew up in then-Port Arthur (present Thunder Bay), where she attended and graduated from Hillcrest High School. Working her way through nursing school, Patricia did odd modeling assignments, enjoyed the Port Arthur nightlife, and made even more friends, many of whom she stayed in constant touch with over the next six decades.

Moving to Toronto in the early sixties, Patricia worked at G&H Steel, where she developed her bookkeeping chops, becoming a detailed and meticulous numbers expert. She eventually worked for herself and had a roster of grateful and high-profile clients, many of whom worked in the busy Toronto/GTA real estate market.

Patricia was a passionate music lover. It was this love that lead her to meet Vilmos Kustanczy in the early 1970s. Their marriage produced one child, Catherine, who was introduced to opera at the age of four by her mother. Around this time, Patricia also enrolled Catherine in piano lessons. Over the years, the pair enjoyed beautiful evenings at the then-O’Keefe Centre (present-day Sony Centre), for Canadian Opera Company productions, Roy Thomson Hall, for Toronto Symphony Orchestra concerts, and outings that took them to the Stratford Festival, the Canadian Stage Company, Harbourfront Centre, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Opera Hamilton, as well as cultural excursions in Toronto, New York City, Europe, Scandinavia, and the regions of the Mediterranean. it was the thrill of a lifetime for Patricia to see Luciano Pavarotti perform live at the Metropolitan Opera in various productions in the 1990s.

One of the chief joys of Patricia’s later life was being a dog-mom to Fifi and Chouchou, two teacup Yorkies with feisty temperaments that complemented their owner. Patricia was also a tireless and proud supporter of the pursuits and passions of her daughter, a journalist. A big smile, infectious laugh, and generous nature, even through tough times like repeated chemotherapy treatments, made Patricia special to so many.

Patricia will be deeply missed by Catherine, Fifi, Chouchou, and the many good friends and lives she touched over her 78 years.

Friends will be received at Dixon-Garland Funeral Home 166 Main St. North (Markham Rd.) Markham on Thursday, July 30th, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9. Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel on Friday at 1pm. Reception to follow. Interment Elmwood Cemetery.