A LIFE IN WORDS
Pat was in the process of writing a book... press the links below for edited highlights from her writings.
This book was started back in the 1990s and was intended to be an autobiography of Pat’s life. She completed a fascinating chapter on Afghanistan, but work kept her from writing regularly. In 2007 Philippa Skinner, and later Ruth Daly, teamed up with her. From advice received, she set aside her early years and focussed on DR Congo, where she spent the major part of her time from 1982 – 2004. But her dedication to serving others meant that the book still only occupied her spare time.
Chapters 1 - 3 were completed,
chapters 4 - 6 were mostly in note form,
chapters 7 - 9 were created when, in August 2007, she unexpectedly discovered she was terminally ill with cancer and had not too long to live – 18 months as it happened.
Pain and suffering became intense during the last few months of her life. With what energy she had, she devoted herself to others rather than the book. The limited words in chapters 7-9 speak volumes, but sadly left the book unfinished. Now a group of Pat's friends from St Mary's Church, Upton, Wirral, have edited her writings to produce a memorable and moving book that was published in May 2011.
Spans the years 1944-79, introducing Pat’s family, schooling and training as a nurse/midwife. It also tells of the strong Christian influence of her foster parents, of her calling to missionary work with CMS, and her 10 years of experience in N Australia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.
After completing her Master’s degree at LSTM in 1981, Pat served as Director of Medical Services in the Anglican Church of Zaire (1982-89). She describes experience gained whilst working in Boga where the death of a young boy had a profound effect on her life. Her PhD research (1986-9) was also conducted in DR Congo.
Working as a Consultant for Oxfam and then the Christian Medical Commission (WCC) (1989-91) engaged Pat in a frenzy of travelling all over Africa. She describes her experiences of evaluating hospitals and health centres, meeting many people, and engaging in the different cultures. But her heart remained in DRC.
The vision of an Institute like LSTM but in DRC had become Pat’s dream. Her contract with CMC completed she returned to Nyankunde (DRC) in December 1991 amidst chaos as President Mobutu refused to step down. She describes the birth of IPASC in Nyankunde (1/6/92) and subsequently in Dabou (Côte d’Ivoire) in 1998 and covers the first 10 years of IPASC with stories of enormous courage, innovative ideas, fun and initiative of colleagues and students.
Students graduating from Nyankunde and Dabou returned to their homelands all over French-speaking Africa. Pat recounts stories of some most notable ex-students and situations that she saw whilst following-up on their work.
Pat describes the shattering and scary experiences as conflict and war took place in both DRC and Côte d’Ivoire, starting in 1994. The climax was the destruction of the IPASC buildings at Nyankunde and relocation to Aru in 2002.
Would have covered the end of IPASC in Côte d’Ivoire due to conflict, and the wonderful establishment and development of IPASC in Aru. Also her decision to step down as CEO of IPASC and subsequent call to the Anglican ministry.
Would have described her training and ordination, and her challenge to create a diocesan link between Chester and Boga/Aru. However, the diagnosis of cancer set her off on an extraordinary and exciting pilgrimage which she describes as walking through “The Glade”.
“Difficult to write at this stage” are Pat’s own words. She intended to write conclusions about IPASC and herself. But the story doesn’t end - Pat lives on in our memories and especially in the life and growth of IPASC and of the Chester/Boga/Aru Link.
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