Espie Patrinely, an environmental pioneer and civic leader, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2022, at the age of 96. She is survived by her three children, Dean Patrinely, James Patrinely and Charisse Thornton; her five grandchildren, Gregory Patrinely, Deanna Lombardo, Randall Patrinely, Jackson Patrinely and Tanner Thornton; her four great grandchildren and her sister, Helen Haywood. Her husband of 67 years, Costa Patrinely, and her sister, Van James, predeceased her.
She was born in Greensboro, NC. Her parents, the late James and Anna Demetrelis, were from Samos, Greece. The family later moved to Baltimore, MD where Espie graduated from high school, and then moved to Neptune Beach, FL. She attended Florida State College for Women (FSU). During WWII, she met her future husband, Costa, before he deployed to Europe as a P-51 fighter pilot. After the war, they married and settled in Jacksonville, FL. As a full-time mom, Espie was chairman of the Easter Seals parade and became president of the various PTAs of her children’s schools. As a member of the Episcopal Church, she also taught Sunday school.
Espie later transitioned her energies into a project that would ultimately change her life and the Jacksonville community. Seeing a For Sale sign on a pristine woodlands while taking her children to school in Arlington, she envisioned preserving this unique property as an outdoor ecological classroom for future generations. After intense collaboration with volunteers, business leaders, local and state politicians, she and others secured the land now known as the Tree Hill Nature Center.
Widely recognized and honored, Espie was selected for the inaugural class of Leadership Jacksonville, served as its president in 1992, and remained active into her 90’s. An Eve Award nominee and named a Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction, Espie was actively involved in other projects including the Duval Environmental Education Advisory Board, the Advisory Board for Lifelong Learning, Florida Community College, Jacksonville Community Council, and Greenscape. Always humble, self-effacing, and directing the attention away from herself, she was beloved by all who knew her.
As the heart, soul and the DNA of the Patrinely family for three generations, Espie was particularly adept at organizing many extraordinary family gatherings and vacations all over North America, Europe, and the South Pacific, with a special affinity for travel in Italy. Her remarkably strong character, boundless energy, and intellectual inspiration created in each of her children and grandchildren not only a strong work ethic, but a deep appreciation of the power of perseverance, faith, honor, integrity, and unconditional love in a family. There was no limit to her personal sacrifices and effort to make certain her husband, children and grandchildren were well equipped to live full, productive, and happy lives.
The family is forever grateful to Espie’s wonderfully compassionate caregivers: A special thank you to Jennifer for her devoted care these last few years, and also to Eartha, Lesa, Laverne and Elaine. The family also thanks Community Hospice for their caring assistance.
As there will be no services, the immediate family will hold a private remembrance at a later date.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the Patrinely family.
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