After moving to Maine, with talk of retiring, she became Head Nurse at the Coronary Care Unit at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta. An internist there called her the best nurse he had ever known. Following her years at the CCU, and well into her 80’s, she ran the blood pressure and diabetes outreach clinic at St. Andrew’s Hospital in her hometown of Boothbay. She also volunteered at their thrift shop. She retired three times, each time drawn back by the pleasure and reward of her work.
Pat was an avid birdwatcher, and her keen eye made her expert at bird identification. She loved gardening and was Head of Civic Development for the Boothbay Garden Club. Through the Club, she received a grant from Shell Oil to create a butterfly garden which is still active today; each fall she raised hundreds of monarch butterflies to maturity and then released them. In spring her Garden Club activities involved sprucing up and planting town gardens and window boxes; each winter she made and distributed wreaths about the town and helped organize and staff the Christmas Tree Fair.
Pat was a master at crosswords and an avid reader, able to devour a number of novels each week. Unbeatable at Scrabble, she woke from a nap days before her death and placed the word “bookies” on the Scrabble board. This seven-letter word garnered her 93 points. She was once named Hot Dog Queen of Boothbay, an honor that always gave her and her friends a chuckle.
In 1946, in Seattle, Patricia married her first husband, Joseph F. McDermott, a Navy man she met at a USO dance. Their long and happy marriage produced two children, a son Joseph X. McDermott, and a daughter Mary Jane Rosenfield.
Ten years after the death of Joseph senior, Patricia married Charles McMichael, a pipefitter, with whom she moved to Maine. They lived for many enjoyable years in their home on deep water in Boothbay, where Charles hauled lobster out of the sea and Pat continued to work as a nurse. An outgoing, friendly couple, Pat and Charlie loved entertaining friends and family, and their home was a favorite summer destination for many. Pat was known for her tasty meals, her delicious pies, and her unfailing hospitality to anyone who entered her home.
Pat is survived by her brother James Hale of California; her son Joseph and his wife Eva McDermott of Atkinson, N.H.; her daughter Mary Jane and her husband Howard Rosenfield, of Brunswick; her step-children Sharon Quinn and Dennis McMichael; her grandchildren Annick Sjobakken, Johanna Kremberg, Susannah Rosenfield, and Brian and Kevin McDermott; and by her beloved chocolate lab, Annie.
Pat will long be remembered for her warmth and kindness, her generosity and good humor. She was adored by her devoted family and friends from all parts and places of her life. Everyone who knew her felt that they were special to her, as indeed they were.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Boothbay Region Garden Club, PO Box 113, Boothbay, ME 04537 or to the Maine Audubon Society, 20 Gilsland Farm Road, Falmouth, ME 04105.
A memorial service in her honor will be held Sunday, May 26th at 11am on the lawn of her home in Boothbay. All who knew her are welcome. Floral attire is suggested, in recognition of Pat’s love of growing things.
Condolences and memories can be shared at www.brackettfuneralhome.com.
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