News Summary
Patricia Mary Boswell Cantwell, a cherished nurse and community volunteer, passed away, leaving behind a profound legacy of love and service. Born in New Zealand, she enjoyed a remarkable life marked by her nursing career, family devotion, and community involvement in Miami and Atlanta. Patricia’s impact will be felt by those she nurtured, and her commitment to family and compassion for others will be remembered fondly.
Atlanta – Patricia Mary Boswell Cantwell, a dedicated nurse, community volunteer, and loving matriarch, passed away leaving behind a legacy of love and service. Born in Auckland, New Zealand, on February 10, 1930, she was the youngest of three children in the Boswell family and grew up on farms in rural areas of New Zealand.
Patricia completed her high school education and pursued a nursing degree, becoming a registered nurse. Her career included a stint as a flight attendant for Air New Zealand, a role that required her nursing background. In her youthful years, she showcased her talents as an avid horse rider and performer, holding lead roles in high school operas and finishing as the runner-up in the Miss New Zealand pageant.
In 1955, Patricia’s life took a new turn when she met Dr. Ronald Cantwell, who had recently returned from the Korean War. Their romance blossomed quickly, leading to their marriage later that year in London, England. The couple returned to New Zealand in 1957, settling in the picturesque Hawkes Bay region, where they began raising their family without the assistance of local relatives.
Devoted to her family, Patricia raised five children while managing household duties. In 1968, the Cantwell family made a significant move to Baltimore, Maryland, and eventually settled in Miami, Florida. In Miami, Patricia reignited her professional nursing career at Cedars of Lebanon Medical Center, advancing to the role of head nurse manager for both the open-heart ICU and coronary care units. She furthered her education at Barry University, obtaining a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s in health management from St. Thomas University in Miami, which she pursued during evenings after her shifts.
Alongside her professional pursuits, Patricia was deeply involved in her community. She served on the Seminar Committee and later became chairperson for the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN). In Miami, she volunteered as a docent at the Vizcaya Museum and became active in her condominium association. Notably, in 1992, she played a pivotal role in the evacuation of intensive care patients from Miami’s Mercy Hospital ahead of Hurricane Andrew.
In 2016, Patricia and Ronald moved to the Lenbrook retirement community in Atlanta to be closer to their children and grandchildren. While at Lenbrook, she engaged in numerous activities, including participating in a stitching group dedicated to creating items for premature babies, along with book and movie clubs, and board games. She was well-loved for her joyful spirit and rooted faith in Presbyterianism, serving as an Elder and holding multiple terms as Clerk of Session at the First Presbyterian Church of Miami.
Patricia and Ronald shared 69 years of marriage until his passing in September 2024. She is survived by her five children: Shirley Davis, Christopher Cantwell, Anne-Maree Cantwell, Ross Cantwell, and Susan O’Farrell. Additionally, she leaves behind seven grandchildren: Emily Cantwell, Kevin Davis, Lauren Davis, Olivia Cantwell, Connor O’Farrell, Logan O’Farrell, and Kylie O’Farrell.
In remembrance of her contributions to family and community, memorial donations can be made in Patricia’s name to “Lenbrook Friends of the Arts.” Her life exemplified unwavering dedication to family, compassion for others, and a commitment to her community that will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Patricia Cantwell
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- Google Search: Patricia Cantwell
- AJC: Jackson Cantwell Chooses Miami
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ronald Cantwell
