On a warm summer’s day in Northwest London, around 750 people gathered at St Andrew’s Anglican Church in Harrow. They came together, united by grief and love, to celebrate the life of Pat Bryan. She did not receive state honours, but she was surrounded by the deep love of those whose lives she touched. Patricia was not ‘a sweetbread’—but she could tease you with her dry sense of humour and a smile that made you forget any harsh words.
As guests entered the church, which was filled to capacity with its doors open to the hall, they were welcomed by the soulful saxophone of Carlston Medford, who played a moving version of Michael Jackson’s ‘Gone Too Soon,’ setting a tender, bittersweet mood. The church was decorated in the blue, yellow, and black colours of the Barbados flag, which stood out against the stained-glass windows of this historic listed building.
Rev. Lyndon North gave a warm welcome, and Rev. Wesley Daniel offered a comforting sermon based on Proverbs 18:22. Michael Phillips then delivered a touching eulogy that moved the congregation as he spoke about Patricia’s life.
Beloved hymns, including “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “Blessed Assurance,” and “This Little Light of Mine,” resonated throughout the ceremony, their melodies and memories reminding the congregation of their own childhoods. Alyssa Jones, Sandra Sherman, and the Church of God Prophecy Worship Team offered a heartfelt musical tribute. Her children, Dwaine, Charles, Aleshia, and her sister, Veronica Blanchette, and her grandchildren shared personal memories, adding warmth and intimacy. Readings by Keron Rose, Maureen and Clive Richards, and Sonja Bubb provided comfort. As Taurus Riley’s “She’s Royal”, the signature tune of Steppinline dancers played, the procession of female pallbearers, surrounded by a large female guard of honour, marked a moving farewell in the courtyard, where the Hearst was carrying her body draped in the Barbados flag. The cortege, led by Undertaker Franklyn King and the clergy, followed by her husband, Fitzroy, and immediate family, strode out of the courtyard in a setting resembling a state funeral.
Pat was born on Saturday, 10th January 1959, at Paddington Hospital to Bajan parents Hazel and Egbert Taitt, who were originally from Branchbury and Blackmans in St. Joseph, Barbados. They came to England to find work, part of a generation that helped rebuild the country after World War II. The family first lived in Paddington before moving to Wembley, where Pat attended St. Augustine’s and Sudbury Primary Schools, then Alperton Secondary School.
At 17, Pat met Jamaican-born Fitzroy Bryan at Alperton Youth Centre, the man who became her lifelong partner. When her parents returned to Barbados in 1978, Pat had the option of returning, but she stayed in London, began working in the travel industry, and often travelled between London and Barbados to visit her parents.
“Patricia, known as Pat, Mum, Wife, Auntie, Nana, and friend, was special to everyone she met. She was lively, reliable, generous, and playful, making every meeting memorable. Patricia made people feel noticed and included, sharing a warmth that made everyone feel welcome. Her curiosity and laughter turned simple moments into cherished memories, leaving joy with all who knew her.”
Her son Dwaine shared these words in his tribute.
“Mum always worked hard to be perfect. We were always told to do our best; anyone who has joined something she arranged knows this. Her encouragement wasn’t about being perfect, but about trying for it. She’d say, ‘Aim for perfect, son,’ knowing it’s hard to reach, but you end up with something good.”
Pat had already demonstrated expertise as an event organiser, managing occasions ranging from children’s birthday parties to trips to the Houses of Parliament. In 1989, she founded Sunseekers Family Travel, leading families on inaugural journeys to destinations such as Jamaica and Barbados. She also started groups such as Moving on Up, Black Families Group, Couples’ Weekend, Salsa Classes, and Rendez-Vous.
In 1997, she established Ladies Weekend, renting a hotel exclusively for women and planning cruise-style events, including spa treatments, dinners, and quizzes. Guests had to be invited by another guest. What stood out in its early days was that these occasions were also very popular with the staff at the locations, who lined up outside the hotel to greet the women, who were predominantly black as they alighted from their coaches. In its early days, only one man was present: the DJ Lappy. A trailbreaker at the time, Ladies Weekend evolved and was held at venues across the globe, including the UK.
In 2008, she launched Steppinline, the first program of its kind in the country. Its huge success allowed her to leave the travel industry and become a full-time, fully qualified dance instructor. She was the first in the UK to master the now-famous Soul line dancing, which led her to teach and perform in Miami, Atlanta, and Barbados, and to run multiple classes across London and the home counties. Steppinline grew with more classes and took part in community events, including Q in the Community, London edition. When COVID-19 began, Steppinline paused. Pat and Fitzroy then spent time between Harrow and St. Joseph, making big changes to their family home in Barbados as they prepared for retirement.
Pat Bryan showed her care in everything she did. She brought people together, gave steady help, and celebrated their successes. Through this, she built a strong community and made sure her legacy would last. She always pushed for excellence, growth, and improvement for herself and her family. If her children scored 95% on a test, she would ask, ‘What happened to the other 5%?’
It is hard to measure all that Pat achieved, but the outpouring of love and heartfelt tributes shows how many lives she touched and changed forever.
