Patricia Ann Fagnano

PATRICIA ANN FAGNANO Daughter of Mildred and James Dunn of Niles, Ohio March 16, 1931 – February 9, 2018 “True to her word, her work, and to her friends.” ~ Niles McKinley High School Year Book Nearly eighty seven years on this earth proved these well-chosen words. As with all of us, her life could be summed up in a series of quotes that include her own voice, and the voices of those who knew her best. Her grandchildren will forever hear Grandma Pat’s voice in phrases that include, “A little bird told me,” “Crazy world,” “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” “If you can’t say something nice …,” “Unload the warsher,” “Even Steven,” and “Help yourself.” Help yourself meant they were welcome to get into the kitchen drawer that held such treasures as Nutty Bars, Fruit Roll-Ups, and Fifth Avenue Bars. And, well, that was interesting fun. 😉 “Your eyes of blue, your kisses too, I never knew what they could do. I cant believe that youre in love with me.” ~ I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love With Me, by Clarence Gaskill and Jimmy McHugh His sweetheart of seventy one years, Patricia’s husband James sang this song to her at their granddaughter’s wedding. Love letters, cards, and even notes left on the kitchen table on “scrap paper,” always included AML and LMA, for “all my love, and love me always.” And that, they did. He often affectionately called her Annie, but his pet name for her has always been Sweet Pea. In her final moments of life on earth, it was the kiss on her forehead, the stroke of her jaw by frail hands, and the voice of her husband of sixty seven years calling her Sweet Pea that soothed her previously unresponsive spirit. Her face immediately lost its grimace, and her labored breathing calmed and then stopped moments later. A love for the ages. And the aged. Two of James’ deepest desires came to pass. The first was that Patricia could spend her remaining time on this earth in the comfort of her own home, with him. The second was that Alzheimer’s would not play itself to its cruel end. We are all eternally grateful for both. “I love you. You know that.” ~ Patricia Fagnano This. The quote that defines you more than any other. This. Yes, we know that. You proved it in so very many ways to all of us. You taught unconditional love by sweeping example. You quietly-yet-persuasively modeled faith. “We love you. You know that.” ~ Us ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~