In remembrance of ‘Mother Theresa of Benoni’
Patricia Ann Hart, known as Candy, died on November 14, at the age of 58, after fighting breast cancer for six years.
Born on July 25, 1955, Candy had been a Benonian all her life.
She graduated from Benoni High and is remembered as the owner of the aftercare centre at Arbor Primary.
She also started the aftercare at Arbor Pre-Primary, and ran the Stay and Play day care centre and the aftercare centre at Benoni Nursery School.
Due to her ill health, she stopped running these in 2012 and opened her legacy, “Mzz Moo”, in Northmead.
Hart is survived by her brother, Mike Hart, daughter Athena Lasagni , son Jango Ellinas, son Ryan Ellinas and daughter Kristen Rothman.
She also has three grandchildren, Tyler Reed, Luciano Lasagni and Kaige Ellinas.
Her eulogy read: “She loved caring for all children and gave endlessly of her time and love to those who were under her care, and even those that weren’t. She will be remembered for the benevolent and graceful woman that she was; a modest and humble woman. She is our hero, our inspiration and our role model – she was in life and continues to be in our memories, the level of perfection that we all will aspire to.”
Hart’s daughter Kristen said she had the warmest, softest and most gentle heart.
“You devoted your life to looking after and caring for the kids of Benoni, you used to come home with such loving stories of the kids that always put such a big smile on your face and happiness in your heart,” she added.
“I love you and will miss you just a little more every day, until forever.”
Ryan said: “To anyone who knew my mom, know that although we are now in pain, she is finally at peace.
“‘Mother Theresa of Benoni’ you rest in peace now — God knows you deserve it. I love you ma.”
A friend of the family, Candice Laggar, added: “Known as ‘Candy Hart’ or ‘Aunty Candy’ to all those who knew her and whose children she loved and cared for, she was well loved, admired, respected and dedicated to the children of Benoni for over 20 years.”
Arbor Primary School will pay tribute to Hart with lilies and a memorial bench in the Arbor Garden of Remembrance.
A funeral service was held at the Northfield Methodist Church on Thursday, November 21.
