Patricia Gary Armstrong

On May 31, 2024 we lost a sister, a mother, a grandmother, great-grandmother and a friend.  Patricia Gary Armstrong passed away after a short illness, displaying her love of family and her sense of humor throughout. She was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Armstrong and her parents John and Henrietta Gary. She is survived by brothers Mickey and Jack and sisters in law Peggy and Pat.  Pat leaves behind daughter Debbie and her husband Pat O’Brien, daughter Tracey and her husband Sal Romano, son Jay and his wife Ronda and daughter Lyn Mills. She always said she couldn’t ask for better children in law. Her grandchildren- PJ, Sean and his wife Alex, Brendan and Emmet O’Brien; Sam, Brian and Kyle Romano; Aidan and his wife Laura, Brady and her husband Matt Forbes, Devon and her husband Riley Masters and Jaymie Armstrong; Michael and his very soon to be wife Paulina, Moe and Mason Mills- will miss her dearly. Spurgeon and Gus Masters and Ezra and Nora Forbes will miss their GiGi(great grandma).

Pat grew up in Rye, NY and graduated from Rye High School in 1960. Soon afterward she started dating Jack and they were married in January of 1964. They started their family a year later.  Jack’s job took them to Rochester, NY. While raising her children and working full time, Pat went back to school to get her associate’s, bachelors and then master’s degrees.  She still found time to spend many enjoyable times with her friends. Pat loved to have fun and was the life of the party.

Pat’s career went from Honeywell, Highland Hospital, Regional Transportation Services, the University of Rochester, St. John’s University and finally she retired as Director of Admissions at SUNY at Buffalo.  She served as president of the College Board and was held in high regard by her peers.

Traveling was a great love of Pat and Jack’s.  Not only did they enjoy traveling to see their children and grandchildren spread across the country, they were able to visit almost every state.  Ireland, Italy and Australia were some of their favorite places.  They loved art and collected many pieces on their adventures.

The beach held a special place in Pat’s heart.  She and Jack grew up on Rye Beach and never lost that love of the water.  When they lived in Long Beach, NY, even rainy days found them on the boardwalk.  The Outer Banks was a special place for them to visit every summer for the past fifteen years.

Retirement to Port St. Lucie, FL fulfilled a dream for Pat and Jack.  Pat couldn’t sit still for long.  She became a master gardener and the president of her homeowners association.  Pat loved her home in Florida.  Sitting on the lanai watching a storm roll in was a big pleasure for her.

Pat loved life and we loved her. Her physical presence will be missed but she will forever be in our hearts and minds. She adored her family and treasured the time spent with them. Her grandchildren were lucky enough to get to know her and we all look forward to keeping her spirit alive with the many stories we’ll share.