Holly Patrick

On the evening of 7 April 2025, we were given the most terrible news that any parent dreads. My smart, beautiful, 19 year old child, Holly, chose to end her life. Holly had dealt with mental health issues for most of her adolescent life. Outwardly, she seemed happy, she seemed like she was growing, and becoming herself. She had started to grow a loving supportive community of friends. She attempted to use the services that are available.

I took her to appointments, we drove her places. We thought we were doing everything we could. We thought we were making all the available resources accessible to her. How wrong we were.

The passing of Holly, has left an incredible hole in our hearts. It has become incredibly quiet. The space that was filled with sounds of Holly's online gaming, her increasing interest in cooking and rattling of pots and pans, her laugh as she talks to friends online, and in person, and the thump of her feet as she ran out the door to go to school or meet friends, has silenced.

We wish we could have done more, we wish, we wish..... If only, if only...... To that end, we would like to raise money for a charity that can help others avoid that incredible heavy silence. Distress and Crisis Ontario. www.dcontario.org The majority of the funds raised will be donated in Holly's name to help others.

We would also like to use a small portion of funds for a memorial gathering, at a future date, to celebrate, and remember Holly.

We miss her, and will love her always. We hope she has found the peace that we could not give her. With your donation we hope we can help, on Holly's behalf, avoid that silence altogether.

Holly left behind loving sisters, Ani and Lucy, and mother Stacia. She has also left a large, loving, extended family. Grandmother Sharon Elliott, aunts Stephanie, and Kristen, and many cousins and friends.