Patricia Ann Hamilton Stoddard Bernard

July 31, 1937 – October 31, 2025

Patricia “Patty” Ann Hamilton Stoddard Bernard passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, surrounded by love.

Born in 1937, Patty was “Mom” to all — not just to her children Leslie and Kelly, but to every friend, lost soul, boyfriend, girlfriend, ex-anything, or spouse that crossed their paths (sometimes to the chagrin of her own kids!).

Her home was always open, her heart always full, and her Tupperware always packed with cookies and Whoopie Pies.

Patty was a Yachtsman, graduated in 1955 and still kept touch with many of her classmates living smack dab in “Skillinsville” in Falmouth for 60 years. It stands to reason she saw a lot. Marriages, births, divorces and deaths, she was always there to lend a hand, an ear or a box of kleenex.

A giver, a confidant, and a loyal friend, Patty built her life around trust and love. As a devoted “swim mom,” she spent countless hours cheering from the steamy pool stands for Falmouth High School and Seacoast Swim Club — no matter how many times her kids reminded her they couldn’t hear her underwater. (Especially when competing against Cape Elizabeth!)

After a difficult divorce, she rebuilt her life with courage, joining Trask-Decrow Machinery (TDM), where she worked for 30 years and made lifelong friends — especially Linda Trask, her daily confidant and dearest companion until Linda’s passing in 2023.

Patty knit Irish knit sweaters with a vengeance for friends at Sugarloaf. We have lost count on how many. “You buy the yarn, I’ll knit the sweater!” Spring Farm in Carrabassett Valley was the place for countless potluck suppers. The Trasks had running water and that was a treat in those days. The Websters, Fletchers, Fowler, Nadeaus and Lessards all threw crockpots on a table and Mom would bring some beans. The kids of all ages trampled through the snow being under the “watchful eye” of everyone’s parents, often hearing “Does your mother know you are doing that?” This was her community after a day on the hill. Later on, Les brought girlfriends to the Wyman camp that became wives, Kelly brought boyfriends to camp to see if they passed “the camp test” and a few didn't.

Then came the grandchildren. Jessica first, the apple of her eye. Then John “Jack” and Kate. Jessica was local when she was young and Patty was very involved in her early life. Patty was thrilled to be “Mimi.”

George Bernard. Patty’s world lit up. All the kids in her life were great, but the hole in her heart was filled by George. And did they ever have fun! Like teenagers they fell in love and went off on all kinds of adventures - even a cruise! George, an engine man on the aircraft carrier USS Essex from the Korean War days, went down to the engine room for a thrill of a lifetime. It was so wonderful to see Patty happy and whole again. As with most later marriages George had his own adult children and some grandchildren who took her in like their own. More cookies and whoopie pies! George’s grandchildren were active in the Ballet, they attended many performances as they rose through the ranks and Christmas wasn’t Christmas unless it included their performances in the Nutcracker.

George passed away in May of 1998, leaving Patty with a full heart, more kids and grandkids to add to her collection. Barry and Ann have embraced her all these years after taking her just this summer to a performance with great granddaughter Matilda in Swan Lake.

Patty was a true friend, generous with her love and her time. Linda, Mary, Sally, Patty, Suzy and many more enriched her life. Linda Trask was her longest and best friend. When Linda passed away in 2023, Patty felt lost. Her friend that she talked to almost every single day, shared her frustrations, secrets and stories was gone. She often said, “If I only could talk to Linda…” that cup of tea, her kitchen table or telephone was disconnected forever.

Despite many health challenges, Patty conquered many obstacles. The first was rheumatoid arthritis at 55. Trial and error for medications, with George by her side helping her when she wasn’t moving right. EMBREL turned out to be the magic treatment that led her to testify in a US Senate Aging Committee Hearing as a witness for Senator Susan Collins. Patty knocked it out of the park but felt she was the one that benefited most by serving others. She was grateful for that experience and spoke about that trip often.

Patty’s legacy is one of generosity, resilience, and love — a life lived fully and shared freely.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Mountainside Community Church, 18 Mountain Road, Falmouth, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Hospice of Southern Maine, 390 U.S. Route One, Scarborough, ME 04074.

Burial to be in the spring, Patty’s favorite time of year when the flowers are blooming.

Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to leave condolences for the family and share a memory of Patty.