PATRICIA ANN NIGHTINGALE

Fort Fairfield - Patricia Ann Nightingale, 72, wife of John A. Nightingale, passed away Thursday, October 13, 2016 at a Bangor healthcare facility. She was born on January 27, 1944, in Methuen, Massachusetts, to parents Margaret Reilly and John Francis Hanley. She graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1961. After high school, her strong desire to help others led her to Practical Nursing School. She completed her studies in 1964 and she entered the nursing profession where she served others in her local hospital and as far away as Niger, in West Africa. Her yearning to help those in need through the nursing profession continued until 2013 when she retired. Patricia left Massachusetts in 1965 to join the Peace Corps and was stationed in the country of Niger, West Africa for two years. She often spoke fondly of her years in the Peace Corps, her connection to the people of Niger, and her gratitude for the friends she made throughout this experience. She returned home from Niger, even more caring and compassionate, ready to help people in her community through the nursing profession at a number of hospitals, including, Bon Secours Hospital in Methuen, St. Vincent’s Hospital in Worcester, and Marlborough Hospital. On September 7, 1967, she met John Alden Nightingale, of Fort Fairfield, Maine. The two were married on May 31, 1969 at John’s parents’ home in Fort Fairfield. For the next few years John and Patricia lived in Massachusetts and had their first child, Tracey Martha. A year later the Nightingale family moved to Fort Fairfield, Maine, the town that became their permanent home. Upon arriving in Fort Fairfield, Patricia gave birth to Erin Kathleen, and three years later, the couple welcomed, Lindsay Dallas, their third daughter, to the world. Even as she was raising three daughters, Patricia’s desire to serve as a nurse was persistent. Nurse Nightingale, as she was affectionately known by her colleagues, patients, friends and family, began a long and distinguished career at Cary Medical Center. Patricia was exemplary in her bedside manner, attention to detail, and care for her patients and their families. She was a loyal and devoted nurse who cared deeply about the quality of healthcare and took pride in her profession. In 1999 she was recognized as Nurse of the Year at Cary Medical Center. She was humbled by this well-deserved recognition and cherished it as a highlight in her career. Patricia retired in 2013, desiring to spend more time with her daughters, who had always been the center of her world, and her grandchildren. Her devotion to her grandchildren was awe inspiring. She was ever-ready to feed, bathe, and play with her grandchildren, Yasmeen & Kayvan Reza, and LLeyton & Cooper Cramond. Her peers often remarked that her energy and enthusiasm for her grandchildren were unmatched. She devoted countless hours spoiling them. She was most happy in their presence and her grandchildren, in turn, loved their time with Nana. Her devotion to her daughters and grandchildren leave them with enduring memories of warmth, laughter, and love. It is only fitting that her fifth grandchild, who was born on the day of her passing, was named Jake Patricia Ellman Nightingale. Patricia was a kind, generous, hardworking, and caring woman, who gladly gave of herself to others, her family, neighbors, friends, and patients. She will be sorely missed as all those who knew her will feel the void she has left as a result of her passing. In addition to her parents, Patricia was predeceased by her sister, Kathleen O’Connell. She is survived by husband John, three daughters and their spouses, Tracey and Amir Reza of Natick,MA, Erin Nightingale and Terri Ellman of Chicago, IL, Dallas and Ashley Cramond of Reno, NV; and five grandchildren: Yasmeen, Kayvan, LLeyton, Cooper, and Jake; brother William Hanley of Mantua, NJ; nephew, Jim O’Connell, and nieces Nancy Hannon, and Maura Ammon. Friends may call Friday October 28, 2016 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main Street, Fort Fairfield with Fr. Jean-Paul Labrie celebrant. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the service at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Patricia to the Jefferson Cary Foundation, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, Maine 04736. Envelopes will be available at both the funeral home and church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com