bout de papier, Vol. 9, No. 2 (1992) — Spring 1992 // Printemps 1992, p. 30
Patricia Harland était une agent du Service Extérieur (Affaires Sociales) décédée accidentellement avec son époux, Bernd Wiedmann, au Kenya revenant d’une visite d’immigration en Ouganda en mai 1991. Le couple avait deux enfants Nicolas et Geneviève, qui ont depuis été adoptés par des membres de leur famille.
Au Ministère depuis décembre 1982, Patricia Harland avait travaillé à Buenos Aires de 1984 à 1986, à Londres de 1986 à 1990 et à Nairobi depuis 1990. Nous publions ici des témoignages de leurs collègues et amis.
Hélène Lafortune, Équipe de rédaction
De Bruxelles :
Quand je pense à la disparition de Patricia et Bernd, j’ai l’impression que le temps s’estompe, et qu’un tout petit peu de ma vie a connu une pause, un vide où errent un million de scénarios qui n’aboutissent jamais, qui n’expliquent pas pareille tragédie et qui me font répéter sans fin : « Et si ce n’était pas arrivé! »
Comme elle en posait des questions, Patricia, elle voulait tout savoir. Elle était toujours pressée, elle prenait les bouchées doubles. Peut-être pressentait-elle le destin qui allait l’arracher si jeune à ce monde. Elle exigeait énormément de ses amis, mais elle donnait le double. Ambitieuse, oui, mais jamais au détriment des autres et surtout, généreuse car elle avait toujours le temps pour ses collègues et amis.
Nous avons fait beaucoup de choses avec eux, avons eu la chance de les connaître mieux que la plupart. Ils étaient nos plus chers amis. Nous sommes préoccupés du sort de leurs enfants, le premier adopté par amour, la deuxième, conçue in vitro, aussi par amour, mais aussi pour offrir une sœur à Nicolas. Et les voilà séparés, une à Québec, l’autre en Allemagne, pourvu qu’on leur raconte souvent leurs parents!
Jacques Dufault
De Londres :
The news of the death of Patricia Harland and her husband Bernd Wiedmann reached us in London like a blow to the solar plexus. Later, a pall of ineffable sadness gripped us all as we realized that the woman who, only recently has been a whirling dervish in our midst, was gone forever. Patricia was many things to many people. She had boundless energy and unbridled enthusiasm. Bernd was the perfect foil: low key and relaxed but very supportive of Patricia’s goals and activities. They were a happy couple with busy, rewarding professional lives and a secure warm family environment.
Joyce Cavanagh-Jones
Patricia’s office had decor. With her pictures, plants, souvenirs and a good eye for visual impact, she made her government office into a room. Photos of Bernd and her children beside Nicolas’ artwork let you know that a wife and a mother worked there. Patricia was strong, just, and acted on her convictions. Marlene Jones
Patricia’s thoughtfulness was legendary in London. Whenever a new member of staff arrived, she took them under her wing, making them feel at home, introducing everyone and making sure that they knew where to find help if they needed it. Her other qualities that endeared her to us all were her sense of humour and fun. These, unfortunately, cannot be expressed in words as, without the essence of Patricia herself, they can never be the same. Memories like these will be treasured by us all, friends and colleagues alike. Chris Foley
Vous souvenez-vous du beau sourire! De ses petits yeux curieux et pétillants! Patricia avait l’art d’écouter et de donner de bons conseils. Elle avait toujours plein d’idées pour améliorer les choses.
Chantal Pellizzari
My kindest friend who was never too busy to help solve any problem I brought to her in the office.
I treasure your memory; and your kind thoughts will live in me forever.
Marie Phang
Patricia was devoted entirely to everything she did. Her determination was formidable. Konrad Sigurdson
De Washington :
Patricia Harland was a colleague, a roommate and a friend. We joined the Department of External Affairs in the Social Affairs stream around the same time in late 1982. It was an exhilarating and stressful time for all of us in our little training group of what eventually came to be known as the “Social Butterflies”. There were ten of us in the group — four women and six men — we came from all over Canada and from diverse backgrounds. Patricia was the eldest in our group and sometimes she was referred to as “mother” by the other members. The group was unusual in that, in a relatively short time, we had formed a very tight circle of friendship with each other that has endured over the years despite our transient lifestyles and considerable difficulty in communicating across the miles.
Patricia had that special ability for putting most people at ease right away. She was happiest when Bernd was around, but did not hesitate to lead an independent lifestyle when he was away. She was most comfortable in her blue jeans with her long hair in a ponytail. She was at heart a bit of a hippie; a bit unconventional; a bit of a country girl; and a bit of a tease. She also knew how to be conventional with the best of us when the occasion required. I was devastated to learn of Patricia and Bernd’s death in May 1991. It didn’t seem fair to cut down this couple in the prime of their lives, when things seemed to be going so well for them. In retrospect, Patricia and Bernd had lived a full and exciting life. Patricia had lived each day to its fullest. She was a happy person and she brought happiness into the lives of those around her.
Patricia McKenzie
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Originally published in / Publié à l’origine dans bout de papier, Vol. 9, No. 2 (1992) — Spring 1992 // Printemps 1992, p. 30. Read the rest of this issue / Lire le reste de ce numéro →
