Patricia Flynn Church, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away Nov. 13, 2019 in Jamesville. She was born Feb. 25, 1933 in Middletown, CT, the only child of Thomas and Bessie Erickson Flynn. Her husband of 60 years, Philip Throop Church, predeceased her.
She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Peter (Barbara) Church of Cazenovia, Susan (Curt) Andersson of Boca Raton, FL, and Daniel (Sheri) Church of Pine, CO; her precious grandchildren: Travis Church, Amanda Nugent, Caroline Andersson, Elisabeth Andersson, David Church, and Jonathan Church; and her sweet great-grandchildren: Tyler, Allison, Molly, Pippa, and Simryn.
As a young girl in July 1944, Pat witnessed the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Fire in Hartford, CT. She saw the fire in its early stages, pointed it out to her father, and they were able to safely escape one of the worst fire disasters in U.S. history.
Pat graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Middletown, CT, in 1951, where she met Phil in the marching band and invited him to a Sadie Hawkins dance. She graduated from Simmons College in Boston in 1955 with a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy.
Pat was a member of the United Methodist Church of Fayetteville. She was active over the years teaching Sunday school and served for several decades on the Outreach Committee, among others. Her work on the Outreach Committee included helping the resettlement of refugee families from Laos and Cambodia, work she found particularly interesting and rewarding. She was involved in the League of Women Voters in the 70s. After retirement she tutored adults in reading at The Learning Place in Syracuse. Pat stayed active shoveling the snow and mowing the lawn into her 80s.
She worked as a physical therapist at Loretto Geriatric Center in Syracuse, and then part-time as a home care physical therapist until she fully retired. She loved being a PT and continued throughout her life to guide people using her knowledge.
Pat was a voracious reader and normally had at least two books in process. She read magazines and newspapers and was well-informed and conversant on current events, sports, politics, finance and business. She enjoyed watching sports, particularly football, SU basketball, and golf. She was a practical, no-nonsense, strong, independent, quiet, steady force in her family, listening with an open ear and supporting with a considered voice.
Special thanks to Darlene White from Help & Hugs of CNY for her comforting companionship over the past four years, and to the wonderful caring staff at The Nottingham.
She loved us, and we loved her. We were so lucky.
Calling hours for Pat will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E Genesee St., Fayetteville. Interment will be in Burr District Cemetery in Higganum, CT.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Fayetteville Free Library, at 300 Orchard St., Fayetteville, NY 13066.
For guest book, please visit: scheppfamily.com.
