Patricia Conklin

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — On Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, Patricia Anne (Poland) Conklin, a resident of Elmhurst Extended Care Facility, peacefully passed away with family by her side.

Born April 24, 1921, in Barre, Vermont, to the late Thomas Clive and Gertrude Lillian (Ennis) Poland, she was married to the late Robert H. Conklin for 17 years.

Pat was predeceased by her brother Thomas Poland Jr. and sister Mildred D’Antonio. She is survived by her brother Robert E. Poland, of West Hartford, Conn.; her son Thomas R. Conklin; and daughters, Gayle M. Lowe (David), Kathleen P. Boland (Thomas), and Lynda A. Conklin. She was loving Nana to her grandsons, Scott H. Conklin (Deanne), Robert J. Conklin, Patrick E. Gilbert (Gloria); and step-grandchildren Patrick M. Boland (Julee), Linda Lapierre (Russ), Wendy Washington (Hal) and Tammie E. Pace (Eddie).

Patricia was a member of the Rebecca Lodge of the Order of Odd Fellows in Bristol, Conn. and the Order of the Eastern Star. Patricia grew up in Bristol, Conn. and graduated from Bristol High School in 1939. After marrying Robert in 1945, she and her new husband moved to Edgewood, where Patricia was a resident for 70 years.

Pat and Bob bought land on Sand Pond in Denmark, Maine in 1956, where they built a log cabin named Sunset Lodge. She loved to go to her cabin on Sand Pond and enjoyed the Maine woods for the next 40 years.

She was a homemaker for all her married life but, when she suddenly became a widow at the age of 41, Pat went back to school and achieved her childhood dream of becoming a nurse. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Nursing as an LPN in 1965. After working in the Cranston General Hospital, Scandinavian Home, and Kent County Hospital, she became the nurse for the O.E.S. Home in Warwick and after five years there she became the Director.

Her fun-loving, positive attitude and attention to every detail created a warm environment for many elders. Pat retired after 25 years.

Patricia enjoyed travel to Hawaii, France, Belgium, Canada, and Florida. She was an avid reader, and always looked forward to the next Grisham novel. A believer in lifetime learning, at the age of 91, Pat began painting, under the tutelage of Stacy at Elmhurst. She also enjoyed her Bible Study class. Pat was a lifetime fan of her beloved Red Sox. Many conversations were cut short by the phrase “I can’t talk now, Papi’s up to bat!” She was also a fan of the Patriots.

Pat's funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 11 a.m., at the Edgewood Congregational Church, 1788 Broad Street, Cranston, RI 02905. Visitation was held on Wednesday morning prior to the funeral service at The Butterfield Chapel, 50 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, Rhode Island 02910, beginning at 9 a.m.. Burial followed in Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Jimmy Fund or Disabled Veterans of America would be greatly appreciated.

To share an online condolence with the family please visit www.thebutterfieldhome.com