Obituary of Patricia Noddin

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patricia (Pat) Louise Noddin on Saturday, May 31st, 2025 at the Moncton Hospital. 

Pat Noddin was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend to many, but also affectionately known as “Passionate Patty,” and Flat Pat to some in the skating community.

Pat was young at heart and inspired many people of all ages with her energy, enthusiasm and resilience. She often recited Robert Smith’s poem to friends and family and lived her life accordingly.

“The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

To lose one's wealth is sad indeed,

To lose one's health is more,

To lose one's soul is such a loss

That no man can restore.

The present only is our own,

So live, love, toil with a will,

Place no faith in "Tomorrow,"

For the Clock may then be still.”

― Robert H. Smith

Pat was always on the go. You name it; dancing, clogging, bowling, curling, playing golf, four wheeling and snowmobiling. Creative too - cooking, writing stories and poetry, painting, designing skating costumes, and engaging her great-grandchildren and grandchildren in quirky rhymes, stories and art projects. It was figure skating though that became her signature passion.

As a young girl growing up in Saint John, she said to her mother, “Mama, if you buy me skates, I’ll learn how to skate.” Cora must have recognized Patsy’s determination and gifted her a pair of second hand reachers. Pat would head up the hill from her house to Lily Lake, skates over her shoulder, warm from the hot rocks her father placed in them. Patsy dreamt of having “fancy” skates like Barbara Anne Scott. Little did she know “proper” figure skates and more were in her future.

When Pat retired in her late 50’s she decided to sign up for adult figure skating lessons. It didn’t take long for her to become a presence in the Moncton/Riverview figure skating scene. She volunteered to help young skaters in the Can Skate Program, practiced her skills weekly to reach the next level on test days where her spins, footwork and jumps were judged. She passed lots of tests, failed some and carried on not missing a beat. Pat started competing in local competitions a few years later. 

Pat’s lifetime of skating brought her many moments of joy. One such event was her opportunity to meet and skate with her figure skating idols Donald Jackson, Brian Orser and Kurt Browning. Pat’s passion for skating also gave her the chance to take part in Elizabeth Manley’s figure skating clinic. These events culminated in all of these figure skating legends signing Pat’s most prized possession, her skates. 

Fast forward to Innsbruck, Austria, 2020. At 83, Pat competed in the World Winter Masters Games. She had recently recovered from hip replacement surgery due to a training session fall on home ice. Pat was tentative but mustered the courage to compete again, winning the hearts of hundreds of thousands abroad and back home. Fittingly, Pat skated to the song “I Did it My Way.” Pat’s last international competition was in Ottawa in 2022. At 86, she brought the audience to tears with her bravery and enduring desire to keep skating no matter what. 

Late March of this year, Pat made a special ice show appearance at her home figure skating club, Mariposa. As part of the show Pat skated on the ice assisted by one of her young skating friends. The club’s show was called “Gliding Through the Ages” - go figure!?! Not yet ready to give up her skates, Pat’s  last private lesson of the season was on May 15th. Now that’s dedication! Pat’s spirit and passion for skating touched the hearts of many around the world. Her dreams, determination and courage carried her a long way from those early days on Lily Lake, hoping for “fancy” skates. 

Pat is predeceased by her husband, David Noddin; her father and mother, Bill and Cora Smith; and her best friend, Bobbi Betts, and siblings Ruth (Rilla Mae) Koven, twins John and Francis Smith. She is survived by her children: David Noddin (Natalie Yanchar); Donny Noddin; Bev Noddin (Brian Moore); Mike Noddin; siblings, Phyllis Colwell, Jack Smith (Dianne Smith), Peggy Meahan, Bill Smith and Fran Bass (Dan Bass). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Louis Noddin (Shelby Noddin); Hillary Noddin; Sadie Noddin (Jeff Boutilier), Erica Noddin (Kelsey Noddin), Scott Moore, and Emily Noddin, Mark Noddin, and Beverley Noddin, as well as her great-grandchildren: Avrie Noddin, Everlee Noddin, and Amberlee Noddin.

There are so many people who touched Pat’s heart with their laughter, generosity and support. We are looking forward to connecting with you. 

Pat’s Celebration of Life will be held at Fergusons Riverview Funeral Centre, 214 Pine Glen Road, Riverview (506-857-9544) on Friday, June 6th, 2025 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.  As per Pat’s last wishes, her skates with her ashes will be danced around the ice one final time. Bring your skates and helmet or drop in to be part of the fun. This will take place on Saturday, June 7th, 2025 at the Greenfoot Energy 4 Plex from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm, 55 Russ Howard Drive, Moncton, NB.

Later in the summer there will be a celebration of Pat and her eldest sister Ruth (Rilla) Koven in Saint John, NB.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to the figure skating charity of your choosing. 

Online condolences can be made via www.fergusonsriverview.com