For nearly nine decades, Patricia Noddin embodied the Skating for Life spirit, showing joy, resilience and a deep love for skating. Pat sadly passed in May 2025, but her legacy is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to follow your dreams—and that the ice can be a home at any age. 

In Pat’s own words, she was “born to skate.” At just five years old, she asked her parents for her first pair of skates — hand-me-down hockey skates she wore on a frozen pond near her home in Saint John, New Brunswick. Pat spent her childhood watching figure skaters at the local rink, dreaming of becoming a “fancy skater” herself.  

She often said, “I think I knew how to skate before I even got my first pair.”

As a teenager, Pat expanded her love of the sport by joining speed skating, while continuing to skate recreationally with friends. When she later became a mother, her passion for the ice lived on through her children with her sons playing hockey and her daughter joining figure skating. She jokingly called herself the “original rink rat,” proudly spending countless hours at the arena each week cheering them on. 

After retiring in her 50s and with her children grown, Pat found herself with the time and the determination to revisit a lifelong dream. At age 58, she bought a new pair of figure skates, found a coach, and began working toward a goal she had held in her heart for decades.

Within two years, Pat passed all of her skating skill tests. But she didn’t stop there, entering her first adult figure skating competition at age 60. By 67, she proudly stood on the podium at the Adult Canadian Nationals in Burnaby, British Columbia. 

The thrill of competition quickly became a beloved part of her life. Over the years, Pat attended 16 ISU adult competitions and numerous local events in Atlantic Canada. She loved not only the chance to perform but also the sense of community that adult skating offered. Pat formed lasting friendships at these events, keeping in touch with fellow skaters around the world via email and Facebook.

“I’ve had so many new experiences, met new people, and traveled to new places since I’ve started skating” she explained.  

Known as “Passionate Patty,” Pat quickly became a beloved figure in the adult skating world. She continued competing well into her later years and was a familiar, joyful presence at events across Canada and abroad. 

One particularly memorable moment came at the 2020 Winter World Masters Games in Austria. As the oldest competitor at the event, 83-year-old Pat was stunned when local media requested to interview her and take her photo. “It was crazy overwhelming,” she said. “I was thinking, why do they want my picture?” 

At that competition, Pat showed her deep courage and love for skating—traveling overseas just months after hip replacement surgery, before even returning to the ice. When she arrived, she was unsure if she should actually compete, but with encouragement from her coach and fellow skaters, she decided to give it her best shot. Her courage touched the audience, many of whom were moved to tears.  

“I was so scared of falling—but I went out on the ice anyway,” she recalled

For Pat, skating wasn’t just about competing but also a celebration of life. She was a strong advocate for lifelong physical activity, crediting skating for keeping her body, brain, and spirit healthy. “It’s not only good for your body but also your brain, your wellbeing, and your mindset,” she explained. Even when skating became more physically challenging, Pat stayed committed to at least getting on the ice, even if she held her coach’s hand the whole time. 

As a cherished member of the Moncton skating community, she found purpose in cheering on younger skaters at her club, who admired her deeply in return. She described their connection as truly special and something she looked forward to each week.  

Pat’s lifelong passion for skating left a lasting impression on everyone she met. She showed the skating community that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. From her first glide on a frozen pond to her final time on the ice just two weeks before she passed, Pat skated with heart every step of the way. Her legacy lives on through the passion she brought to adult skating and the meaningful impact she made within the Canadian skating community.