Patricia A McQuade

Dr. Patricia Ann McQuade, born on November 3, 1940, in Bridgeport, CT, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday June 9, 2020. She was 79. Pat lived in Rowayton, CT, with her daughter Nora’s family for the last eight months of her life. Previously, she lived in Boynton Beach, FL, for 18 years.

Pat was a trailblazer and was the first in her family to graduate from college and pursue a higher education. Pat was a Registered Nurse for over 55 years. She obtained her RN from St. Raphael’s Hospital in New Haven, CT, her BSN from Southern Connecticut State University, her master’s in Public Administration from the University of New Haven, and her doctorate from St. Thomas University in Miami, FL. Throughout her nursing career, Pat held many different roles: surgical nurse, nursing supervisor, visiting nurse, Hospice nurse, nursing director and finally, for many years, she was a nursing educator. She developed many certification programs for CNAs and Home Health Aides which were approved by the State of Florida and The Bahamas.

Pat is survived by her daughters Nora King and Mary (Todd) Albert, grandchildren Olivia, Zach, Jackson and Addison and her beloved dog, Jack. Pat was preceded in death by her mother, Alice King Hardy, her grandparents, James T. and Nora King, and her husband, Joe McQuade.

Pat always stressed the importance of education and working hard. She believed that education is the key to providing opportunity and choices in this world. Ironically, she found her true calling as an educator later in life. When her children were younger, Pat loved making homemade Halloween costumes and even took a stab at sewing special outfits for them to wear on to their first trip to Disney World.

After raising her daughters as a single parent, Pat enjoyed breeding Cocker Spaniels, playing bingo, and became an avid reader. She learned to play golf and the piano in her semi-retirement. Never one to sit still, Pat found purpose in helping others through volunteerism.

Pat loved Westerly and Watch Hill, Rhode Island, and there were many trips north when she would request to visit the area. She had many fond memories from her childhood and brought her children and grandchildren there as well. She was immensely proud of her grandchildren and would always tell stories about their successes and accomplishments. She genuinely loved watching them play sports, sing in concerts, and perform in plays and musicals. No matter what, she always had a dog in the house and certainly held the relationship with each of them that we all recognize as being “man’s best friend.” She enjoyed the unconditional love that her dogs provided.

She had a wicked sense of humor and even during her last days was making the nurses and her family laugh. When asked by a nurse recently how to address her, she responded, “Your Excellency.” She kept that humor alive even in the most difficult times. She loved going out to eat at diners and side of the road stands. She would give you the shirt off her back if you needed it and always found ways to demonstrate kindness to those less fortunate. She could also swear like a sailor.

Pat fought a courageous battle with AML and in the last year of her life was very vocal about lack of research and support for the elderly. When asked recently what her regrets were in life, she said travel and the fact that she did not get to see a woman become president. She asked for us to remember that and embrace new experiences and visit new places. Finally, Pat was born on November 3rd which happens to be Election Day in 2020. She really wanted to make it to her 80th birthday and vote this year. So please, vote on her behalf, drive a friend to the polls or just encourage everyone to get out and vote.

A private memorial service and burial is planned for June 29, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. Leo P. Gallagher & Sons Funeral Home in Stamford, CT, is helping with the funeral arrangements that will be held in River Bend Cemetery in Westerly, RI. In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please consider donating to Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League at peggyadams.org or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, LLS.org.