Patricia Ann "Pat" Crowley

Patricia Ann (Murphy) Crowley, 79, of Ithaca, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, at Bridges Cornell Heights. Born in Elmira, NY, Pat was a devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother. Although Pat suffered from Alzheimer's disease in the later years of her life, she is remembered more for her warm sense of humor and caring spirit; always willing to lend a hand to neighbors and friends.

Pat was stylish, very social, enjoyed a good laugh, being with friends, and making others feel welcome. Always active, Pat took up golf, bowling, and skiing as an adult, and sang in the church choir. She was also a gourmet cook and tenacious bridge player. Her most gratifying golf achievement came in 1982 when she and good friend Marlene Caliel won the Cornell Invitational Tournament. She was an active member of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, the Country Club of Ithaca, the Investment Club, and Ithaca Garden Club.

Pat graduated from Southside High and St. Joseph's School of Nursing, both in Elmira, NY. She worked at Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, and the Ithaca Health Department early in her career. She stayed at home to raise her four children, and then returned to work as the nurse at Lansing Elementary School where she stayed for over 20 years, retiring in 1994.

Pat is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Robert Crowley of Ithaca, NY, three daughters, Julie Crowley (Lisa Kerslake) of Ithaca, NY, Sheila Crowley of Alexandria, VA, Karen Crowley (Nicholas Randazzo) of Needham, MA; son Robert (Donna) Crowley of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren Nicholas, Tali, Louis and Kyra Randazzo of Needham, MA, and Rylee, Kayla, and Piper Crowley of Las Vegas, NV. In addition, she is survived by her brother Daniel Murphy of Elmira, NY, and 28 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents John Murphy and Susan (Connelly) Murphy, sister Mary Ellen Lynch of Rochester, NY, and brothers James Murphy of Elmira, NY, and John Murphy of Elyria, OH.

Special thanks are given to the staff at Bridges Cornell Heights, where Pat and her family were treated with great kindness and respect during the last year. And to Lois Collins and Elaine Buchannan who were always devoted friends, especially during the last few difficult years.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated by Rev. Joseph Marcoux on MONDAY, JULY 23rd, at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church. Private interment will be held in the Calvary Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat's memory may be made to "An Evening to Remember," c/o Triphammer Wines & Spirits, 2255 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca, or at www.triphammerwines.com/gala,"An Evening to Remember" is a yearly fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association started by Pat's family in her honor in 2007.