Patricia L. DeConto

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our cherished mother and grandmother. Patricia L. (Schindler) DeConto passed away on May 27, 2025, surrounded by her family. She was a beloved longtime resident of Sandwich, MA, where she lived for more than six decades. She had recently moved to Keystone Place at Buzzards Bay where she had become an endeared member of that community as well. Pat is survived by her children David J. DeConto and his wife Joanne of Bourne, MA; Raymond E. DeConto and his wife Debbie of E. Lyme, CT; Marie DeConto LeBlanc of Sandwich, MA; and Dale DeConto Choate of Plymouth, MA. She is also survived by her six grandchildren whom she loved dearly: Jessica, Alyssa, Elizabeth, Rachel, Max and Erica. Pat had recently welcomed her granddaughter Alyssa’s husband Mark and his sons to her family, proudly announcing her first two great-grandchildren. Pat was pre-deceased by her husband Roland F. DeConto and her son Captain Gerald F. DeConto, USN.

Pat lived an extraordinary life full of love, compassion, and grace. She was born in Brockton, MA, on March 28, 1931 and grew up in Halifax, MA, where her family ran the Monponsett Inn, a well-known establishment with a long history of entertaining and lodging travelers from near and far. She graduated from Whitman High School in 1948. Pat earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from UMass Amherst in 1952 where she was a proud member of Chi Omega, remaining friends with some of her sorority sisters for 75 years. Pat met Roland F. DeConto while at UMass Amherst and they married on October 30, 1954. After graduating from UMass, she embarked on a teaching career that spanned more than three decades highlighted by 28 years as a beloved first grade teacher in Mashpee, MA. Pat and Roland started their married life and family in Halifax, MA, and then moved to Cape Cod where they raised their five children. Before embarking on her full-time teaching career, Pat also wrote for the local Cape newspaper publishing many articles covering local town meetings and events. Pat lost her husband Roland to cancer in 1985 and, saying he was the only man for her, she did not remarry but took on this next chapter of her life full of independence and determination. She returned to college to earn a master’s degree in education from Lesley College and continued her teaching career until she retired in 1995.

Pat did not slow down after retirement. She spent countless hours volunteering for school scholarship committees, for Corpus Christi Parish where she was a longtime member, and for the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts, which she chaired for a number of years fighting for retired teacher’s rights and benefits. Pat had a zeal for learning and even after earning two college degrees she furthered her education in her retirement by attending history courses at the local community college. She took the opportunity to travel with family and friends exploring the world with trips to Europe, Egypt, China, Russia, Alaska, Iceland, Australia and the Panama Canal. Her true passion during her retirement years was spending time with her grandchildren, babysitting, giving rides, and attending sports games, dance recitals, and plays. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren and remained passionately involved in their lives as they grew into adulthood.

In 2001 Pat lost her son Gerald during the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. She dealt with this tragedy with dignity and grace for the rest of her life. She guided our family in the early days of our devastating loss. She made sure Jerry was never forgotten, helping to build a sports stadium in his memory, supporting an annual road race to raise funds for his memorial scholarship, representing Jerry at memorial services at the Pentagon and around the country, and attending 9/11 anniversary services at the Naval War College every year. She sought justice for her son’s death traveling to Guantanamo Bay to observe trial proceedings, and she worked tirelessly providing long video depositions and family impact statements.

Pat made many friends throughout her life and touched many lives. She kept in contact with lifelong friends and made new friends everywhere she went. She was well loved by her son Jerry’s circle of Navy friends, and by her nephews and extended family. Pat was well known and loved in the town of Sandwich, served as Grand Marshall for the town’s 375th anniversary parade, was honored yearly as a Gold Star mother at the Memorial Day parade, and the community looked forward to her inspirational opening remarks each year at the annual road race held in her son’s memory.

Pat was the very soul of our family and we are forever grateful for her love, her guidance, and her beautiful example of a life well lived.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, June 2, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 154 Route 6A, Sandwich, MA 02563. A mass of Christian burial will occur Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Corpus Christi Parish, 324 Quaker Meetinghouse Rd, Sandwich, MA 02537. A graveside service will occur Tuesday, June 3, 2025 from 12:30 PM to 12:45 PM at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Ave, Bourne, MA 02542.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Retired Educators Association of Massachusetts, the American Cancer Society, the USO, or the charity of your choice.