PORTLAND — Patricia Ann “Patty” St. Pierre, 51, passed away at her sister’s home in Raymond Oct. 17. She was born Sept. 28, 1964, in Portland.

Diagnosed as legally blind when she was a preschooler, it was initially planned to have St. Pierre attend a “special” school for the blind. However, she was mainstreamed successfully through the “special” Falmouth school system where, in the sixth grade, she was presented the first annual Francis Richard Memorial Citizenship award. In 1983, during her senior year in high school, she was awarded the Roberta Rogers Award, “to be given to the graduating senior who, in the eyes of the faculty and staff, has clearly accepted the challenge to live up to his or her fullest potential at Falmouth High School.”

St. Pierre had entered her sophomore year at the University of Maine in Farmington, majoring in special education, before she became ill.

Being visually handicapped did not stop St. Pierre from traveling alone to see her uncle in Zimbabwe, Africa, where she also went kayaking down the Zambezi River and visited Victoria Falls.

St. Pierre worked at the Iris Network (formerly The Maine Center for the Blind) before finishing massage therapy classes. As a hobby, she dressed up as a clown and amused children at birthday parties. She also entertained people by singing and playing guitar. St. Pierre also helped out in her mother’s saddlery shop. She enjoyed doing the Sunday crossword puzzle, her music, the smell of balsam and going for rides in the country.

Those who knew her called St. Pierre an “amazing woman” who “enriched the lives of her friends, her family and others who had the privilege of knowing her.

“Her courage, kindness, generosity, free spirit and independence, along with her sense of humor, despite her handicap, has set an example for her fellow man that attitude is everything.”

St. Pierre is survived by her father, Richard A. St. Pierre of Portland; her mother, Margaret St. Pierre of Falmouth; a sister, Karen Barry of Raymond; several nieces and nephews; her lifelong best friend, Laura Antranigian, of Portland; and several cousins, aunts and uncles.

Her family wishes to thank Hospice of Southern Maine for their professional guidance.

Private services will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Pine Tree Camp, PO Box 518, Bath, ME 04530-0518.

St. Pierre