Dame Patricia Mary (Pat) Harrison

How lucky was I to be "Queen's girl"? Pat created a wonderful community around us so we could learn and thrive. I am forever grateful for my Queen's High School education, Pat led a team of incredible teachers who enriched our lives in ways that still ripple through the years. I hope Pat's whānau are comforted by the love and affection we have for her. Aroha nui, Vicki Cowan (Queen's student 1978 - 1982)

Most beloved matriarch of Queens. You led from the front and lived a life that truly exemplified your mantra " No man is an island, no man stands alone. Each man's joy is joy to me, each man's grief is my own. We need one another, so I will defend, each man as my brother, each man as my friend." Thank you for your lifetime's contribution to education, to your community's well-being across so many contexts and so much more. A mighty totara who has sowed seeds of legacy reaching far into the future. E tu, Arohanui- you will be so missed. Henriette Rawlings Queen's student 1978 - 1982, Queen's Ex Girls Association and former Trustee Queen's Board

I am trying to watch the livestream of Dame Patricia Harrison’s as her son Richard is my brother’n’law

I was appointed by Pat as a first year teacher and was under her guidance until her retirement, about 14 years. I learnt all of my educational ethos from her but didn't realize how strongly it was instilled in me, or how much I believed in it until I moved to other schools on shifting to Christchurch. Then I learnt that most schools weren't like Queen's and I was so disappointed in that. So lucky to have been steered by the best. RIP Pat and thank you. Aroha to your family.

Thinking of all of Mrs Harrisons family at this sad time. A great life well lived, the City owes her a great deal for all the service she provided to our lovely city . As an ex queens girl I have fond memories of Mrs Harrison and her beloved dogs around the school community. She was always cheering on sports teams and supporting other various school activities outside the school environment. A lovely service for such a dedicated lady. Rest in Peace with Mr Harrison. As your daughter alluded to there will be lots of pre dinner chatting going on catching up on world and nationwide events since his Passing. Thank you for your dedication to one and all . Rest in eternal peace dear lady.

As a former pupil and staff member at Queen's for 30 years I have memories of the amazing woman who's life we are reflecting on recently. If we are fortunate enough, we can come up with a short-list of people who have made a positive difference to the lives of others. Pat is one of those for sure! A wonderful celebration of a life well lived. Rest in Peace, Pat.

I am left with a feeling of great gratitude and love for Pat. Of course for all the great good in the collective and the community she contributed and for the invaluable gift of leadership of vision, integrity, a keen sense of social justice in action, along with seemingly boundless energy. We need rare leaders like this, we were blessed and she will be sadly missed in the world. On a personal level Pat often saw to the heart of a person, saw the potential and need then moved to meet that need. I worked for Pat for over nine years…I admired her a great deal. She gave me a chance and a job, a woman on my own, starting a career with four children. It held many challenges and also rewards. The thing I loved the most at Queens was working with Pat’s girls and expanding into her vision for their education and future possibilities. Pat was so good to my daughter at a time when she really needed a champion. She gave Renée unstinted positive regard for her own potential & abilities and fostered them. I’d love her for that alone. To her family I offer heartfelt sympathy and thanks for sharing their splendid mother with us.

Wonderful memories of a woman who really cared about her Queens Girls. From knowing every girl by name when you walked out the main doors at the end of the day, suddenly filling in for our Science teacher for 20 minutes, or clambering out her office French doors across the garden beds after her two dogs at lunchtime. She inspired us to be the best we could be no matter who we were. She saw the teacher in me before I did, and it was an absolute privilege to return to Queens to start my teaching career. Even after leaving Dunedin, she would often see my mum and always ask after me. Farewell, Mrs Harrison. Know that you have impacted the lives of so many - a life well lived.

Pat saw the need for a creche for the children of teachers and young women wanting to further their education and set up a suitable house on the school grounds. Over the years I was supervisor she took a great interest in the welfare of the children. A great woman ahead of her time. Joan Bracey.

Kua hinga te tōtara o te Wao-nui-ā-Tane, a mighty Tōtara has fallen. Mrs Harrison was in my thoughts constant during my 35 year teaching career across the motu. I happened to secure a position at Queens, and with Mrs Harrison’s support, worked through two pregnacies and the early childhood of my two children at Queens High Preschool. Mrs Harrison, both her actions and words, have guided me in decision making in education ever since. Wrangling teenagers is not always easy and perspective based on the strong and empowering kaupapa laid down by Mrs Harrison often provided me with strength through tough times. It was a privilege to work on her team, to work with ‘her Queens girls’ and, as a colleague once said, to benefit from friendships forged as Mrs Harrison selected the very best teachers for her school. Ā life well lived, May Mrs Harrison deservedly rest in peace. Arohanui ki tōna whānau.

I feel extremely privileged to have had Pat as my teacher. My memories of her are long as she taught me English at Queens at a time when Lizzie was quite little. She would sometimes bring a very well behaved Lizzie to sit at her desk colouring in while she taught us. In years since our paths have crossed through the Queen’s Charitable Trust and meeting at the Otago Bridge Club. She was an inspiration in my life. Every time we met I felt the warmth of an amazing spirit from who we can all be very grateful for knowing. My thoughts are with her whanau Richard, Katie and Lizzie.

I will miss you so much Nan. I appreciate all the times you invited us into your house, whether it was for Christmas dinners or Easter hunts through your garden. We will miss you more than you know. Aroha nui 💕