Patricia Rafferty, devoted daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother entered eternal life on May 4, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born July 9, 1937, in Mount Vernon, NY to Thomas and Edna May McCarthy, Pat was raised in the Bronx as the oldest child and sister to three brothers—Johnny, James, and Peter. Pat attended Misericordia nursing school, graduating as a Registered Nurse in 1958. She was a nurse at Misericordia Hospital when, through the fortunes of a blind date set up by a friend, met and married her lifelong love Jim Rafferty, a Scottish immigrant and U.S. Army veteran. Jim and Pat moved from Carpenter Avenue in the Bronx to Mohegan Lake, NY with their two daughters in 1972, where Pat served as the nursing supervisor at Marrs Nursing Facility. She also served for 26 years as an EMT with Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps, as well as provided private nursing services to several chronically ill patients and their families. She was an active member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, an avid participant in Valley Lanes bowling leagues, and enjoyed Red Hats get-togethers with her closest friends. She loved family vacations at the seashore, holiday get-togethers and family celebrations, all the moments she could be “Nannie Pat” with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and learning all she could about everyone she met. Not a single holiday dinner table failed to be captured on her digital camera; her skills with iMac and iPad were the envy of her generation. Her infectious smile, insatiable curiosity about all things, her genuine interest in people, and her nervous optimism won the hearts of all who knew her and will forever illuminate our lives.
Pat is survived by her brother Johnny and his wife Jane, her devoted husband Jim, her loving daughters Patty Petro and Teri Palotta, sons-in-law John Petro and Michael Palotta, granddaughter Meghan Giamboi and her husband Rob, grandsons Mike Palotta and Christopher Petro and his wife Sara Beth, and great-grandchildren Adelina and Liam Giamboi.
Her family would like to thank the gentle and compassionate care Pat received from the doctors, nurses and staff of Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco during each of her all too-frequent visits there. Everyone went out of their way to give her all the comfort possible, especially in her final days.
A mass of Christian burial commemorating Patricia to her Almighty Father will be held at St. Elizabeth Seton Roman Catholic Church in Mohegan Lake on Friday, May 16, at noon, followed by interment at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Putnam Valley, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s honor and memory to the Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps.
