Patternoster

Mrs Patternoster was/is a midwife in Lancre, but not a Witch. She was of help at many a birth, and wasn't too proud to know when to call on a witch, as related in Carpe Jugulum.

Granny Weatherwax was the witch that turned up on this occasion, and she fought with Death over him taking Florence Ivy or her unborn son. She chose the woman to live. This is not to Mrs Patternoster's satisfaction as she believes John Ivy should have had the chance to choose but, as Granny said, "What has he done that I should hurt him so?" - i.e. make him choose between his wife and his child. She made the cold, hard choice, by which she will stand 'til her dying day, but John and Florence can always try again, whereas the alternative was him losing both.