Patricia Zitani, age 92, of West Islip, New York passed away on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Patricia Zitani, RN, started her nursing career at Lakeside Hospital in 1974. Later, when Lakeside Hospital closed her career continued at Brunswick Hospital in Amityville. There she was easily identified as the "nurse who wears her cap". She came to Brunswick Hospital in August 1977 and worked in the tumor registry and relief discharge planning program. Later, she was appointed Surgical Admissions Coordinator and set up the surgical pre-testing program for all elective surgery. Mrs. Zitani saw that each surgical patient had a complete work-up before undergoing elective surgery. Despite all the endless details that are part of the patient's admission, Mrs. Zitani had to maintain an understanding and supportive attitude when dealing with the patients and their families. The pre-testing program is a cooperative effort of all departments servicing patients who entered the hospital center. In 1995, she retired from nursing to travel and enjoy time with family.
Mrs. Zitani graduated from SUNY Farmingdale School of Nursing in 1974, where she was on the Dean's List and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an honors society. She entered SUNY after a varied background as a Barbizon model, homemaker and mother with hobbies that included interior decorating, clothes designing and landscaping. She had also been the past treasurer of Parents and Friends of Southampton College and co-chairman of Parents' weekend during the
1980s.
She had lived in Deer Park for 60 years with her husband, Raymond, a retired pharmaceutical representative from Syntex Laboratories. The last four years being a resident at local assisted living facilities. Family includes daughters Diana, Stephanie, and Leslie; and a son, Brian. She has four grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Patricia is survived by her husband, Raymond; her daughter Diana; her daughter Stephanie (William); her son Brian (Patrice); and her daughter Leslie (Joseph); her granddaughter Christine, her grandson Billy, her grandaughter Alyssa, her grandaughter Lauren, her great-grandson Jake, her great-grandson Brenden, her great-grandson Cole, her great-grandson Luke, and her fur-babies Charlie "Girl", Blackie, and Bridgett.
In lieu of flowers please Alzheimer's Foundation of America or Autism Speaks.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Boyd-Spencer.com for the Zitani family.
