A Legacy in a Life of Giving: Patricia Summer’s Story
December 9, 2025
Found in BC Cancer - Victoria, Breast Cancer, General, Planned Giving
Patricia Summers devoted her career to bettering communities — both close to home through her roles in various B.C. government ministries and abroad through her international development work at the University of Victoria.
After facing breast cancer for more than 20 years, Patricia sadly passed away on June 1, 2023 but her commitment to applying science to improve lives will continue through her decision to name the BC Cancer Foundation as the beneficiary of her pension and RRSP.
Growing up in Duncan, B.C with her two brothers, Patricia was a bright and inquisitive child.
“She was always reading, learning, asking questions and always curious about what made things tick,” says Patricia’s mom Beatrice Summers.
Patricia’s many interests included figure skating, bowling and, of course, books. But it was her love of biology and animals that initially had her dreaming of becoming a veterinarian.
She changed direction after completing a Bachelor of Science, Biology at UVIC (later acquiring a Master of Science, Biology and Master Certificate in Project Management) and was encouraged to pursue a doctorate and enter teaching. But she was eager to dive into work that was more hands-on and rooted in community, says Beatrice.
“Pat really wanted to help the world.”
She did this through 15 years in aquaculture at UVIC, as the project manager of the shellfish technology transfer project and through international program manager roles in mariculture management, education and development in Brazil, Thailand and Mozambique.
“She truly enjoyed her international work helping the communities she worked with to forward their economic development goals and food sustainability,” says Beatrice.
Patricia went on to hold numerous director roles across several B.C. government ministries, including Jobs, Trade and Technology; Health; Agriculture; and Community and Rural Development.
To further share her expertise, she founded PLS Global Consulting, through which she supported BC Cancer as a community prevention coordinator following her own breast cancer diagnosis in 2001. “Knowing firsthand of the effects of cancer inspired this work,” says Beatrice.
Patricia also gave her time to provide hope to people facing cancer by volunteering and participating in several other breast cancer fundraising events. She also served for over a decade as the president and board chair of Island Community Mental Health to help provide recovery-based services for adults experiencing mental illness.
“Pat was a very caring person,” says Beatrice — a quality that shone through in everything she did, from lovingly maintaining the heritage home they shared in Victoria to doting on her cherished dog Sadie.
By directing her retirement funds to advance cancer research at BC Cancer – Victoria, Patricia leaves a legacy of generosity that mirrors the compassion with which she lived every day.
“She had a great sense of gratitude and tremendous respect for her oncologist, Dr. Nicol MacPherson, and believed wholeheartedly in research,” says Beatrice.
This gift is a reflection of who she was — always giving, always helping, always hoping to make life better for others — in her own community and around the world.
