A dedicated educator, proud mother and grandmother, and great friend, Patricia died in her sleep after a 21-year battle with Parkinson's disease. Patricia was born in Brooklyn, NY to John McComb and Dorothy Keenan. In Brooklyn, she attended St. Agnes Elementary School with her younger sister Barbara and received the prestigious General Excellence Award. The family moved to Long Island where she attended high school at Sisters of St. Joseph’s School in Brentwood. While in Long Island she was surrounded by an extended family of aunts, uncles and cousins. She returned to Brooklyn to attend St. Joseph's College.
Driven by a love of children, Patricia embarked on a career as an elementary teacher. Also, she enjoyed the rewards and challenges of working with children in need as a social worker for Catholic Charities. Eventually she rose to positions of responsibility in the education system. She became Principal at The Hebrew Academy in Albany, NY. The irony of a devout Irish-Catholic as Principal of Jewish school was not lost on many. Later she became Principal at Middleburgh Elementary School in Rensselaer, NY (1998 to 2001) and Principal at Cleveland Hill Elementary School in Buffalo, NY (2001 to 2004). While at Cleveland Hill she navigated the school through a major renovation project.
After getting married, Patricia made the bold move to adopt five Korean children. One by one, Pat conquered the challenges of adopting from overseas such as teaching her children English and transitioning to life in the small town of Wilson, NY. She was a proud mother and even prouder grandmother, affectionately called "Nana" by her 12 grandchildren. Nana loved to spoil her grandchildren with her time, love and devotion.
After her retirement in 2004, she spent one year living in Toronto to help her daughter Shannon take care of her two grandsons, Mathieu and Aidan. Then she retired to The Villages in Lady Lake, Florida in 2005 where she made many new friends and enjoyed a plethora of activities in the retirement community like line-dancing at Spanish Springs Town Square. However, her favourite activity was hosting her grandchildren for vacations. She was a pioneer in moving to The Villages as dozens of extended family members followed including aunts, uncles, cousins, her sister and mother.
Pat will be greatly missed by her mother, Dorothy and her five children, Jamie (Dyane), Brian (Lori), Shannon (Andre), Laurie and Todd, in addition to her beloved grandchildren Ryan, Aubrey, Colin, Sean, Destini, Dylan, Mathieu, Aidan, Thomas, Savannah, Charlotte and Madison. She will also be missed by her sister Barbara (Dennis) and her nieces Kimmy and Becky.
She took great pride in the home that she built for her family and family always came first for her. Pat has left our lives but she will never leave our hearts. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dengler, Roberts, Perna Funeral Home in Buffalo, NY. The family would appreciate notes of sympathy and memories as well as additional pictures of Patricia at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/bowmansville-ny/patricia-grocki-10041319. If lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Foundation or Hospice Buffalo.
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