Patricia Levesque, 83
Meet Patricia Levesque, 83
Born in Charlotte, New Brunswick, and raised in the quiet village of Dalhousie, Patricia spent her childhood surrounded by simple pleasures and the beauty of the Bay. Life in her early years was modest, playing ball at school, helping out at home, and dreaming of the world beyond her backyard. At 18, she took a leap of faith and moved to Montreal, staying first with an aunt, then finding independence with a roommate. Her father, who had worked on the Montreal Expo, later moved out west, and though life took them in different directions, they were able to reconnect and share meaningful moments later on. Patricia’s journey was shaped by both love and loss; she lost siblings far too young, including a baby sister and an older sister at just 34. Yet through it all, she carried an unwavering strength and a sense of independence that would define her life.
A visit to Halifax would change Patricia’s life forever, leading to the greatest joy and purpose she would ever know, her daughter. Though life as a single mother brought its challenges, Patricia faced them with courage and determination. She worked tirelessly waitressing, caring for the elderly, and doing whatever was needed to build a life for the two of them. Later, she moved back to Campbellton to care for her mother, who lived to be over 100. For 30 years, Patricia devoted herself to her mom’s wellbeing, setting aside much of her own freedom and chances at love to be the steady heart of her family.
She recently relocated to Fredericton to be near her daughter, who lives with fibromyalgia and remains Patricia’s greatest source of love, pride, and encouragement. The move hasn’t been easy. She left behind her beloved Golden Age Club, her dancing days, and a circle of friends who filled her life with laughter but she continues to find strength in the bond she shares with her daughter.
Now living in an assisted living community, Patricia is determined to stay active and embrace every day with spirit. Despite challenges with her mobility and eyesight, she does yoga five times a week and walks a mile each day using her walker. What she longs for now is something to shake her out of the routine, something that makes her feel truly alive. What is that something? To go ziplining. Ziplining has been a dream of hers for many years, and when she shared it with her daughter, they both lit up at the thought. True to form, her daughter rose to the occasion, joining Patricia in making that dream a reality.
For Patricia, the chance to soar through the air represents far more than just a thrill; it's a celebration of freedom, courage, and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter. It’s a reminder that a life full of love, resilience, and quiet determination can always hold room for joy, adventure, and new beginnings. “You can’t lose anything by trying,” she says. And for Patricia, that try, that leap, is the very essence of who she has always been.
Special Thanks: Christine Ouellette and the team at Zip Zag - Zip Line
Photography: Francois Gouin of Gouin Productions
