Agnes "Pat" Patricia Riordan

It is with profound sadness we announce Agnes Patricia Riordan, age 85, passed away on Tuesday April 1st, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 14, 1939, in the Bronx, NY to John and Mary (Butler) Reardon both of whom emigrated from Ireland.

Pat grew up in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx and graduated from St. Barnabus High School in 1957 and Hunter College in 1961. She was trained as an elementary school teacher. Pat was the middle child between sisters Mary Claire and Kathleen. She met Charlie Riordan on a blind date on the Jersey Shore while in college and the two were married in 1962. They lived in Brookline, MA while Charlie finished medical school and Pat taught 2nd grade. They moved back to New York before eventually settling in Madison, CT in 1970. Pat’s focus for the next several years was raising their four children and she approached this responsibility with enthusiasm. She and Charlie enjoyed a lot of shenanigans with all the neighborhood gang on Puritan Lane. Always looking to keep busy, Pat went back to work in 1985 at Cradles to Crayons Daycare in Guilford. She taught there until her retirement in 2002. She loved working with children and especially appreciated former students saying hello to “Miss Pat” when they saw her around town.

Pat was a force and if you met her, you never forgot her. She could hold a room and was quick to point out where she thought there was an injustice. She worked hard and expected the same of those around her. Always a fierce defender of education, she credited her public-school experience with providing her the means to elevate from modest beginnings. She was chatty and curious and would always start up a friendly conversation with strangers.

Pat was a voracious reader from a young age and was famous for reading multiple books at the same time. She favored mystery novels but would read just about anything topical. Books were her currency and you could find her most days rummaging through her favorite place, RJ Julia’s. She was fiercely proud of her New York City roots and despite living for more than 50 years in Connecticut, the New Yorker never left her. Pat often went to Broadway shows with Charlie and thrived when she returned to the city. They traveled together extensively throughout their lives seeing places like Egypt, Russia, Japan, Europe and Australia.

She absolutely cherished her 11 grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to brag about them. Their “PatPat” was always present to give advice, offer consolation or just share a laugh. Pat was a talented shopper and proudly passed this skill onto her 6 granddaughters. She had a solid knowledge of sports and enjoyed lively debates and friendly wagers with her grandsons. Pat loved the process of finding just the right card for the grandkids. Valentine’s Day, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day were some of the occasions when she would send a note of encouragement and maybe some money so they could have a good time. There was nothing in her life she preferred more than engaging with the grandkids. Grabbing a lunch, receiving a text or getting a quick call from one of them overjoyed her.

Pat is survived by her four children; Charlie and wife Karen, of Manhasset, NY and their children Charles and Kimberly; James and his wife Lynda, of Irvine, CA and their children Nikk, Rhys, Kate and Chance; Tracey (Riordan) Jacobson and her husband Eric, of Branford, CT and their children Tucker and Rory; and John and his wife Lisa, of Simsbury, CT and their children Aidan, Maeve and Brenna. She is also survived by David Filip of Middletown, CT who she loved as a son, her sister Kathleen Reardon of Ocala, Florida, as well as her five nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by her husband Dr. Charles Riordan, a daughter Julie and her sister Mary Claire Ambrose.

Pat’s family will receive friends during a visitation at Swan Funeral Home, 825 Boston Post Road Madison, CT on Monday, April 7th 9:30 – 10:30 AM. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM at St. Margaret’s Church, 24 Academy Street in Madison. Burial will follow in West Cemetery.