Patricia St. Pierre

RAYMOND — Patricia Ann St. Pierre, 51, was born on Sept. 28, 1964, in Portland. “Patty” gracefully embraced the end of her life on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015, at her sister’s home.

She was diagnosed as legally blind at a preschool age. It was initially planned for her to attend a “special” school for the blind. However, she was mainstreamed successfully through the “special” Falmouth school system. At grade school age, she became a returning camper at Pine Tree Camp in Belgrade. In her teens, she spent her summers working there.

In the sixth grade, Patty was presented the first annual Francis Richard Memorial Citizenship award, “To the student whom consistently demonstrates a caring attitude toward others, a sense of responsibility to the written and unwritten rules of the school, and has made a strong effort to work to his or her full academic potential.” In 1983, as a senior in high school, she was awarded the Roberta Rogers Award, “To be given to the graduating senior, who in the eyes of the faculty and staff has clearly accepted the challenge to live up to his or her fullest potential at Falmouth High School. Qualities to be looked for include a high level of responsibility, a consistency of effort, a positive outlook, persistence, the challenging of self, diligence…” She also earned the D.A.R. award at graduation.

Patty became a freshman at the University of Maine in Farmington, majoring in special education. She entered her sophomore year at UMF before falling ill. She traveled by herself to see her uncle Roland Hawkes in Zimbabwe, Africa, went kayaking down the Zambezi River, and has visited the beautiful Victoria Falls.

She then moved on to the Iris Network (formerly The Maine Center for the Blind) as resident/staff. She also participated in “Ski the Night for Sight,” a fundraising effort for MCB. Patty finished massage school and then gave her friends and family the best massages for free!

As a hobby, she dressed up as a clown and amused children at birthday parties. She also entertained people with her guitar, singing fun songs. Patty also helped out in her mother’s saddlery shop, always upbeat, with a smile for the customers. She enjoyed doing the Sunday crossword, her music, the smell of balsam and going for rides in the country.

This amazing woman enriched the lives of her friends, her family and others who had the privilege of knowing her. Her courage, kindness, generosity, free spirit and independence along with her sense of humor, despite her handicap, has set an example for her fellow man that “attitude is everything.”

Patricia is survived by her father, Richard A. St. Pierre of Portland; her mother, Margaret St. Pierre and partner Philip Gagnon of Falmouth; her sister, Karen Barry of Raymond; her niece; grand-nephew and nephew; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2015, at the Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham. Services will be private at a later date. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Pine Tree Camp, PO Box 518, Bath, ME 04530-0518.