Patricia Maureen Skala

Patricia Maureen Skala, 60, of South Dennis, died peacefully on Aug. 24 surrounded by her loving family and close friends after a courageous 20-month battle with melanoma. Patti, as she was known to family and friends, grew up in Springfield, MA, the 13th of Henry and Rita Skala’s 15 children. She attended Catholic schools in Springfield, graduating from Notre Dame Academy. Patti was an excellent athlete, having played both softball and soccer in several community leagues- earning the title of “Big Bopper” because she could belt homeruns. She worked for several years at Massachusetts Mutual Life in Springfield. She spent many happy family vacations on Cape Cod before moving to South Dennis full-time in the mid- 1980s. In 1988, Patti went to work for the Dennis Police Department (DPD) as a full-time data clerk. In 2003, she was promoted to Senior Account Assistant. At her retirement in February, she received a citation for her 30 years of service. She was recognized for “her contribution to emergency operations at the department during Hurricane Bob and for her years of volunteer time to support the Dennis Police Department and the citizens of Dennis.” In the DPD, Patti found a second, very large family. She loved her work at the department and enjoyed the banter with the police officers, dishing it out as much as she got. Her family is forever grateful for the love and support shown to Patti from everyone at Dennis Police. In addition to cherished time spent with her large, extended family, Patti had a love-hate relationship with the Red Sox and loved the Patriots. She took several memorable trips with family to see the Red Sox play in Baltimore and Toronto. She also cherished her beloved dog Scully. Patti is survived by her 14 loving siblings: James of West Yarmouth; Joan Maestrone of East Longmeadow; Thomas (Rachel) of Narraganset, RI ; Timothy (Kathleen) of Ogonquit, ME; Kathleen Martin (Michael) of Agawam; Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X., of Westwood; Christine of Longmeadow; Eileen Mendes (Arthur) of South Dennis; Henry (Marianne) of East Longmeadow; Joseph (Renee) of Yarmouthport; Stephen ( Maria) of Agawam; Margaret of Longmeadow; Peter of South Dennis; and Mark (Kelly) of Hyannis. Patti is also survived by many devoted nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, Henry and Rita (Finn) Skala, as well as her brother in law, Eugene Maestrone, and sister in law, Carol Skala. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2019 from 3-7 pm at Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 729 MA-134, South Dennis, MA 02660. Gathering will be held on Wednesday August 28th from 9:30 -10:30 at Doane Beal and Ames, followed by a funeral mass at Our Lady of The Cape, 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, MA, 02631 at 11 am. A graveside burial service will be held at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Springfield, on a date to be announced. Donations in Patti’s memory may be made to the Dennis Police Relief Association, P.O. Box 171, South Dennis, MA 02660; The Dana Farber Melanoma Clinic, 450 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 or at http://danafarber.jimmyfund.org/site/TR?fr_id=1200&pg=team&team_id=4759 ; or the Cape Cod Hospital Radiation Oncology Department. Patti’s family wishes to extend its heartfelt appreciation to the radiation oncology team at Cape Cod Hospital headed by Dr. Dan Canaday, as well as Dr. Patrick Ott and the melanoma clinic team at Dana Farber. They would also like to acknowledge the incredible team on Mugar 4 at Cape Cod Hospital.