Patricia A. Wesley

After attending Roscoe Central High School in Roscoe, NY, Patricia attended Radcliffe College (Harvard) in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and earned her BS degree from Columbia University in 1966. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.) from the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1972.

Patricia interned 1972-73 at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital and did her residency in

Psychiatry at Yale New Haven Hospital from 1973-77. From 1977 to 1996 she held assistant and assistant clinical professorships in Psychiatry at Yale and also maintained a private practice in New Haven, CT. Subsequently, she was Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine and worked at Bellevue Hospital, where she stayed to help during 911. She also worked at the V.A. And about three years at the Jewish Guild for the Blind in NYC.

Pat was a Diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry, and a member of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. She was a member of the American Psychiatric Association.

Despite her lofty credentials, Patricia was kind, compassionate, and caring to family and friends, had a dry and ready sense of humor, and liked a good joke. She was a voracious reader, had an incisive mind, and was a fine writer, witness her article Dying Safely in Spring 1993’s Issues in Law and Medicine. Her passionate advocacy for the unborn is best explained in friend Wayne’s tribute under Comments.

Pat had an enviable grasp of English and American classical literature, enjoyed close analysis of poetry, and took or audited many graduate literature courses at Columbia University in NYC. She enjoyed pool swimming, and as with everything else, was good at it. She also enjoyed discussion groups on history and literature at the Harvard and Yale Clubs of NYC. And was a happy member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. She loved cats and dogs, and nurtured a long line of noble felines who lived to advanced ages. She also loved baseball, the Mets, and considered baseball a metaphor for life. She volunteered her medical expertise at various times including in the immediate aftermath of 911.

Patricia was tremendously disciplined, precise, and hard working all her life. She hated retirement. She embodied all the old strength-of-character values such as loyalty, honesty, responsibility, accountability, reliability, and civility whether in work or personal life. Definitely outspoken in her strong opinions, she was close-mouthed about her accomplishments, and was not comfortable with compliments or praise.

Patricia overcame a lot of hardship in her life, including advanced cancer in her fifties. The treatments left her with some abiding issues along with an even deeper appreciation for life. She was definitely an inspiration to those of us who knew her: pro-active, self-reliant, resourceful, and independent, until near the end of her life.

Our world is greatly diminished by Patricia’s absence; who will ever take her place now in challenging us to hone our thinking, do our research, and keep our minds sharp. And to share unique conversations and good laughs along the way. Patricia Ann Wesley is - and will be - profoundly missed.

Previously deceased were Patricia’s parents Joseph and Jennie Wesley, brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Helen Wesley, brother Johnny Wesley, and niece Laura Wesley. Pat is survived by nephew Brian Wesley, grandnephew Evan Ford, and grandniece Aerin Ford.

Heartfelt thanks go to several compassionate aides from Caring One Home Healthcare, particularly Alma who was held in high regard by Pat for her companionship, help, and support even before Pat’s final months, and also to Raycel, Emalyn, Fenny, and Lori. Thanks also to Meryl and Mickey, pet people who provided cat help for Misty and Seabiscuit and friendship for Pat. And to building superintendent Mr. Wellington and his family. If we have missed anyone, please forgive and know that you, too, are thanked.

Condolences may be sent to Brian Wesley c/o Charles Peter Nagel Funeral Directors 352 E. 87th St., NYC 10128.

If anyone wishes to read what may have been Patricia’s favorite poem, it is To Autumn by John Keats. The season of her birth. And now her death. https://poets.org/poem/autumn

A graveside service for Patricia will be held Friday, December 8, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Flushing Cemetery, 163-06 46th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11358.