Obituary of Patricia M McCorduck

Patricia Walsh McCorduck of Rome, NY died on May 20, 2023, at the age of 69. Patty passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Born in Rome, NY, she was the daughter of the late Thomas (Webb) and Beverly Dorn Walsh. Surviving are her 3 daughters, Jennifer (Derek) Fitch, Karen McCorduck (Bryan France), and Lori (Anthony) Fabbio; 7 grandchildren, Aiden, Connor, Kaelyn, Chase, Addison, Carly, and Amelia; a sister and brother-in-law, Tara and Doug Jones; a brother Thomas P Walsh; Aunt Sally Adams and Aunt Margaret Bunnell, former husband of 20 years, Ronald McCorduck; brother and sister-in-law Timothy and Dawnielle McCorduck; brothers-in-law Michael and Donald (Dick) McCorduck; sisters-in-law Chris McCorduck and Sue Carvelli; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Patty graduated from Rome Catholic High in 1972.  She demonstrated bravery, hard work, and dedication when she went back to school while raising her three girls and working two jobs. She earned her Associates degree from Mohawk Valley Community College in Early Childhood Education, frequently being awarded a Presidents List Certificate of Achievement. She was employed by Rome City School District as a Teachers Assistant in their Pre-K program, and most recently at Madison Oneida BOCES starting in their Even Start Program, then at their Alternative High School, and most recently as a Teachers Assistant educating high schoolers on early childhood education. She loved her work and impacted the lives of many children and teenagers. 

Patty was devoted to her family and friends. She grew up vacationing on Otter Lake with her parents and siblings. And over the last several years, she has looked forward to her annual trip to Fourth Lake with her 3 daughters and their families, and former husband. Fourth Lake was her ‘Happy Place’. Her grandkids were her world. She enjoyed reading and singing to them, playing games with them, and also watching them play at their sporting events. She had a special bond with her ‘sista’ Tara, they never lived more than 2 miles apart. Patty spent a lot of time with Tara & Doug (her ‘Honey’) and loved to stop over to see her nieces, nephew, and their children when they returned home to visit. Though there were always many miles between her and her brother Tommy, he always held a special place in her heart. She also had a lifelong friend of over 50 years, Sherry Vatilla Smith. Their friendship stood the test of time and distance.

Patty should be remembered as a beautiful, loving, and fun woman, who loved to laugh, dance, and especially sing. She always said, “I don’t know the words to every song, but I have a song for every word”. She was strong, she weathered adversity with grace and always looked to answers with positivity. There was always a bright side, always room for forgiveness. She gave her heart and soul to her family, friends, and students. She was dedicated to raising girls that knew they were loved and taught them respect, responsibility, and kindness. She was a beautiful gentle soul that always knew “I am woman” and roared with all her might in her battle with pancreatic cancer.

A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday, May 31, 2023 at 11:00am, St Peters Church in Rome NY. In keeping with Patty’s request, there will be no calling hours. She has chosen anatomical donation to Upstate Medical University in Syracuse NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Patty’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, Hospice Care, and/or to the Michelle Adey Memorial Fund.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thank you to all friends and Hospice care nurses and staff who showed her endless acts of kindness, loving care, and prayers. She is at peace.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Nunn and Harper Funeral Home, Inc., 418 N. George St., Rome NY 13440.

You may light a candle, send a message of sympathy, and read the obituary at www.nunnandharper.com.