Patricia H. Weingart

Patricia Ruane Henson Weingart was born on March 17, 1935, in Westerly, RI and passed away at her home in Franklin, CT on January 15, 2026 at the age of 90. She is survived by her children Richard, Louis (Maria L.), Thomas (Deborah), Maria P. (John Nye), Janet (Don Smith), Sandra, Calvin (Sharon), Bob (Veronica) and Christopher (Pamela); 16 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Herman, sons James (infant) and Stanley, grandson Joseph, parents Hugh and Edna Henson, and brother Eugene Henson.

Pat’s earliest years were spent in Franklin, CT, where her family lived next door to her maternal grandmother’s farm, with regular visits to her paternal grandparents’ farm in Wequetequock. At the age of nine, she was horrified to realize that she was about to become a “city kid” when her folks moved her and her little brother Gene to Cedar Street in Norwich, CT. Pat lived in Norwich for the next nine years, attending Saint Patrick’s School and Norwich Free Academy, while still visiting all the grandparents. She continued the family legacy of joining 4-H the moment she was the right age and remaining active for nearly seven decades. She made dear friends at New London County 4-H camp and rode the bus to Mrs. Lowe’s sewing club in Montville.

While still in high school, Pat was selected to attend the National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago. On this trip she first met her future husband, Herm Weingart. A few years later they met again at the University of Connecticut where both were students. Pat majored in home economics education. After completing her degree in 1957, Pat became the first American 4-Her to travel to Taiwan, as a member of the International Farm Youth Exchange. Her seven months there created life-long memories, which her children later delighted in learning (especially the picture with the water buffalo).

After they both returned from overseas (Herm went to Spain as an IFYE at the same time), Pat and Herm were married at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Storrs, CT on April 12, 1958. Herm and his folks had moved the family farming operation from New Hartford, CT to Franklin in 1956 and Pat returned to her beloved hometown, where she lived the rest of her life.

Over the next two decades, Pat and Herm ran the dairy farm and welcomed their children, who all became 4-Hers in time. The couple maintained a high level of involvement in local civic organizations and their respective churches. They also kept up their connections with their own 4-H friends. In later years, Pat met regularly with her fellow “Antique 4-Hers” for lunch and conversation.

Pat taught home economics at NFA and Kelly Junior High School 1958-1960 and returned to the classroom in 1969, teaching kindergarten and then Special Education at Fields Memorial School in Bozrah, CT until 1975. As her own children aged out of 4-H, Pat took over the volunteer leadership of the local club and guided youngsters to develope their potential through “learning by doing”, as the 4-H motto states. Kids all over New London County thrived because of her attention and devotion.

The grandchildren began arriving in the early 1980s and the legend of Granny began. Every summer she welcomed the increasing numbers of them to Herm’s Half-Acre for Granny Camp, where they slept outdoors in tents they made of sheets and tablecloths; played in the dirt; made Stone Soup; and collaborated with Granny to write and then perform the original play that was the camp finale each year. In later years, the parents of the grandkids took over much of the hands-on work of Granny Camp, but Pat presided over all of it, from the time the Granny Camp flag was raised until it was lowered at the end of another extraordinary week. In the summer of 2025, Pat and her family held a 40th anniversary celebration for this family institution.

From the time she returned to Franklin until her death, Pat was a devout member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Norwich and St. John’s Mission Church in Bozrah. From the early days of arriving en masse with her brood and filling an entire row of pews to later years of teaching catechism, serving lay ministries during Mass, and serving on the council, Pat was deeply woven into the life of the parish. Her faith in Jesus Christ was a lifelong source of wisdom and comfort.

After they sold the farm in 1986, Pat and Herm took a renewed interest in vegetable gardening and produce abounded, especially potatoes. So. Many. Potatoes.

Pat was the fixed center around which the rest of the family revolved; a calm and steady source of wisdom to a wide variety of friends and neighbors. We love her to the moon and back.

Rather than sending flowers now, Pat would want you to plant some in your own space in the appropriate season. She loved daffodils, lily-of-the-valley, sunflowers, and zinnias. Memorial contributions may be made to the Weingart Family Scholarship fund at UCONN (contact Barbara Palmer at [email protected] or 959-995-2738) or the New London County 4-H Foundation (mail to the New London County 4-H Foundation Box 6002 Norwich, CT 06360).

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 52 West Town Street, Norwich, CT at 10 am.

As parking at the church is very limited, guests are invited to park at Yantic River Plaza, 50 Pleasant Street, and a shuttle will be provided.

A reception at the Franklin Firehouse, 5 Tyler Drive, Franklin CT, will follow Mass.