My heart is shattered. My last conversation with Patty was in March 2018. It was literally the day AFTER she broke her leg. We spent 5 hours on the phone that day...catching up, as was our custom. She was going to be operated on a week later and promised to contact me as soon as it was over. She did indeed call me. I was not home and missed her call. We then played phone tag for several days after. Unfortunately she left me long messages that were VERY broken up and I desperately tried to contact her. I found out through a mutual friend that Patty was undergoing serious health issues...and I continued to attempt to reach her. Today I learned of her passing. I am devastated beyond words. Patty and I met almost 10 years ago and maintained a wonderful friendship. We talked endlessly on the phone. We laughed..even cried together. Patty was a VERY private person...but as she would have told you...I had a way of breaking through much of that with as she termed them "My New York Ways". Greg and Brandon., I learned much about you both. Patty was such a devoted Wife and Mother and the 2 of you were her world. Her talents, her insights and her attitude went a VERY long way in encouraging me, inspiring me and making me smile. I cannot fathom not hearing her beautiful voice again. May God hold you both in the Palm of His Hand. Patty knew in our last talks that God had done a miraculous turn around in my life...both physically and Spiritually. She will be missed more than I can express and FOREVER be a part of my heart. God Bless you.

Dear Greg and Brandon,
it’s Ellen Ferwerda from across the street. I just want to send condolences to you and Brandon and the rest of your friends and family. You have been through such a tough experience.
I always got a positive vibe from Pat, and you too. I think the whole time you’ve lived here Pat had been suffering. I think it made it difficult for her to get out or want to engage with people.... and then I know you are private people to begin with.
I respect that. At the same time, I want you to know our door is open to you. We’ve talked recently about having a glass of wine together, please consider the idea. We have shared just a small amount of what you have been going through. Please know that we’re here, if there’s anything we can do.... don’t hesitate to ask.
As a brief p.s. I must add: I am grateful to you and Brandon for not liking rhubarb. Because of this Barb and I had the chance to eat an entire batch of Pat’s rhubarb bars. They were out of this world..... and difficult to share.
Peace, Ellen

Dear Greg and Brandon,
I just saw your post regarding Pat. I am deeply sorry and offer my sincerest condolences. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family during this difficult time. ❤️ I am truly heartbroken to hear this. 😢 Pat was a beautiful soul who had so much love in her heart. She always found the positive side in everything that came her way. She faced life with a smile on her face. She was strong and a fighter. She truly made an impact in my life, all of you guys did. She had a warm welcoming spirit to her and I am honored to be part of her life and your family’s life. ❤️ If there is anything I can do and if you guys need anything, please feel free to ask.

One of my fondest memories was when Pat told me that I had “perky hands” and that I could be a hand model. This was way back in high school. A couple of days before she passed, Mark and I were texting and he sent me a picture of her hand and she had said “from one hand model to another”. Just an example of her sense of humor and remembering that moment so long ago. All of the Fries family have embraced me as one of the family which I treasure. After all, Mark and I have known each other since we were in 1st grade. I was lucky enough to be able to see her the day before she died. Even tho it was clear she was feeling pain, she told me that I looked beautiful. Just another example of her generosity. That, I will always treasure.

This news is so hard to hear. Being one of the seven siblings who called Pat our sister, it's so hard to believe she has passed! After all, she was the fifth child. Wat, as was my nickname for her, was talented beyond belief. She also loved her family and would do anything for them.

Rest In Peace Wat, You will be dearly missed.

Greg and Brandon,
Please know that you are both in our hearts.

I remember the first time I met Patty. Like everyone else, I was struck by her beauty. But I soon discovered there was much more to her than a pretty face. She was smart and funny - a gifted artist who worked so hard to share her talent with the world. And the baking - dear god, the baking. If you were lucky enough to receive a box of her Christmas creations, you've seen and tasted her exceptional creativity.

Peace to all who loved Pat.

For Greg and Brandon:
Am Always With You
When I am gone, release me, let me go.
I have so many things to see and do,
You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears,
But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess
How much you've given me in happiness.
I thank you for the love that you have shown,
But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust
That it is only for a while that we must part,
So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won't be far away for life goes on.
And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear
All my love around you soft and clear
And then, when you come this way alone,
I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home".
Unknown

Patricia and I connected in Instagram. We became friends quckly because we appreciated each other, and made each other laugh. I feel lucky to have had this friendship, and heart-broken to learn of her passing. She's a very beautiful angel. We always signed off our messages to each other with red kiss and red lipstick emojis.

Dear Greg and Brandon and Scout, and everyone who love her, I send love to you.

I'm so sorry to hear of Patty's passing. I didn't know Patty well, and had not seen her in many years. Still, she was the kind of person who touches your heart and I find myself grieving from afar in Florida. I have two strong memories of Pat. On the face of it, these incidents are mundane, but Patty had a way of making the mundane special.

The first goes back to when we were in grade school together. Patty was tall, beautiful and popular. But she stands out in my mind as the rare person whose outer beauty was matched by her inner beauty. In particular I remember one day around 1970. I was on the outer fringe of a group of girls in class that she was talking to about a great release called "Your Song" by a new singer Elton John. When she noticed I was interested, she made sure to include me in the conversation simply by smiling and making eye contact as she spoke. It was a small thing, but when Patty smiled at you, there was a warmth that made you feel included, and that's how she made me feel that day. Now, 49 years later, I still think of that moment when I hear "Your Song."

Years later, I met Patty again at my sister Kathleen's wedding. I was pregnant with my second daughter and holding my two year old toddler. We talked for awhile and she had that same genuine warmth. I remember her looking at my daughter and saying, "she's beautiful," drawing out the "beauti" for emphasis and smiling at me with that same warm, inclusive smile.

Special people run in the family. I also have very fond memories of Mark, who often ran up to talk to me back in the grade school days, and is now a great friend to my sister. Again, little memories, that somehow stick and mean something special. Now, I'm hoping that by sharing these memories with Patty's family, they'll know that Patty's magic dust spread far beyond what they probably know, and touched many people's lives in a way that left them remembering and smiling to this day. We grieve with you, but also celebrate knowing the woman who touched our lives in simple, yet significant ways.

I feel the air punched out of me. I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for the years you and Patty won't share, for the laughs over old age aches you won't share but I'm grateful you were there holding P attys hand when she passed. She left knowing your love. A treasure. My sincere symphathy to you and Brandon.