while being held in the loving arms of her husband and children finished
her phenomenal journey on earth and entered into the warm embrace of
her Lord. She was born in New York City on July 11, 1942 The daughter of
Daniel Joseph and Luisa Harriett Diorio Dacey, Mother of Jeremy and
Amanda Plotkin, and grandmother to Alex, Sandy and Zach. Many
cousins, nieces and nephews all of whom she loved so dearly
On a recent morning as she awakened, she gave thought to what she
should say about her storied and wonderful life. An only child. Spoiled
from the day she was born, clothed in school uniforms and educated by
dedicated, wonderful, loving Sisters of Mercy, Immaculate Heart and
Ursulines. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a BA in
English and from St. John’s University with an MA in English.
She began her teaching career at North Bellmore Jr HS with 9th graders
who thought everything she did was funny. She fell in love with Dick when
she was 22. She described him as a dashing Midshipman she met at a
Midshipmen Ball at the Astor Hotel in New York City. In his “whites” with
gold buttons, warm eyes, and quick humor, she says she was smitten.
Patricia and Richard celebrated 52 years of marriage in June 2018. Always
agreeing that each day they loved each other more than the day before.
No day ended without each of then saying “I Love You So Much.”
When first married they headed to Norfolk, VA for Dick’s first Navy duty
station. Patricia taught HS English at Bayside HS in Virginia Beach. The
two never liked being separated even to this day. So they decided she
should follow his ship when it deployed to the Med. She did that for 3 six
month cruises. What a time that was! Christmas in Cannes, a New Year’s
in Athens, Ponza, Barcelona, Malta….
Dick’s next set of orders took them to Newport, Ri where they spent the
next 40+ years in an 1870 home, the Flower Cottage. Taught at Rogers
High School and Dick set up a CPA practice after his Navy duties.
Patricia liked to say their life exploded when their children came! Jeremy
was born in 1975 and Amanda in 1976. Their days were filled with play
dough, paint, books, chocolate chip cookies, family vacations skiing and
the beach in Boca Grande, FL. Love filled her days!In 1987
She bought Advantage travel and with her friend Gloria Dunn, embarked
on a 14 year endeavor. At this point, in 2001 retirement looked enticing.
In 2004 they moved to Lakewood Ranch, Fl where they felt they had the
good fortune to wake up every day to sunny skies. With their Harley
Davidson Motorcycle, they planned trips nearby and across the country
even up to the Canadian provinces. Patricia loved the feel of the wind and
the freedom riding gave her. Patricia felt her prayer was not encumbered
by walls. It was a glorious feeling to her.
Although they settled in Lakewood Ranch after retirement, they did acquire
a condo in Middletown, Ri so they could enjoy their Newport connections
and new friends at Bay Ridge. This made the two of them very happy.
Patricia joined the Knights of Columbus Auxiliary at St Patrick’s in
Sarasota, Fl, and spent time getting to know committed women and
Knights. She volunteered weekly in a second grade classroom at Emma E
Booker Elementary School, and loved the children.
She always said she could not have asked for a more blessed life: a
husband whom she adored; children: Jeremy and Amanda; grandchildren
Alexander, Sandra Luisa and Zachary who filled her days with love and
excitement always listening to her musings; friends who had a piece of her
heart; English Springer Spaniels: Maggie, Molly & Millie who never seemed
to grow up, and a gift of extended faith that she relied on every day of her
life.
She was the focal point and lifetime joy of Dick Jeremy and Amanda. She
liked and loved everyone she ever met. Had an uncanny ability to find the
good and positive in every person and every hurdle in life. Her faith in the
Lord was unfailing and likely brought closer to God everyone she had
contact with.
In lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the Sarasota and Manatee
Counties Elementary School Fund at the Community Foundation of
Sarasota, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at the
Church of St. Patrick, 7900 Bee Ridge, Sarasota, Fl. 34241. Inurnment will follow in Sarasota National Cemetery.
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