Patricia C. (Pat) Mapstone, 81, of Stone Ridge
STONE RIDGE » Patricia C. (Pat) Mapstone, 81, was called to the Lord on March 9, 2018, eight days short of her 82nd birthday after a courageous battle with cancer. Yes, she was born on St. Patrick’s Day and we would always say that the world celebrated her birthday with songs, green beer and parades. There is no plan to change that story.
She was predeceased by the love of her life, Ron, in 2013, after 55 years together. She is survived by two terrific children, Rhonda (Ken) Growney of Highland Mills and Greg (Stacy) Mapstone of Shokan. The reader can probably guess the authors at this point. Pat also had five adoring grandchildren, Eric, Brynne and Cameron Growney and Nathaniel and Asher Mapstone, and she adored them right back.
Pat grew up in and around the Manlius area (just south of Syracuse, N.Y.) with her parents, Clarence “Potty” and Pauline Casselberry, and four sisters. No, we don’t know where the nickname came from or what it means. She graduated from Manlius High School in 1953 and then enrolled in The General Hospital of Syracuse School of Nursing. She graduated from nursing school in June 1956 and worked at the hospital after graduation.
It was shortly thereafter that she met a beanpole of a construction worker and fell in love. They married in 1958 and she supported the two of them while he went to college. Ron was offered a job teaching in the Rondout Valley School District and the two of them moved to Stone Ridge in 1961.
She was a stay-at-home mom until the aforementioned terrific kids were a little more independent. She then worked as a school nurse for BOCES for many years until she and Ron decided to retire and hit the road in an RV. They traveled all over the U.S., living full time in the motorhome for several years. They returned to Stone Ridge with their wanderlust satisfied and built their dream home.
Pat had several loves. First and foremost was her family. Certainly her husband and children, but also her family at the Marbletown Reformed Church, of which she was a member for more than 50 years. At various points, she was the church secretary, putting out the weekly bulletin, on search committees for new pastors, elder and deacon. If there was something that needed
to be done, she did it. Pat also loved music, which was spawned by the gift of a baritone ukulele from her father. She taught herself to play the accordion and piano despite never being able to read music. She and Ron also loved to dance. It didn’t matter what kind of music was playing; they danced.
Friends are invited to call from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, March 16, at George J. Moylan Funeral Home, 2053 Route 32, Rosendale. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Marbletown Reformed Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, her birthday. Interment will be private and at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the Marbletown Reformed Church, P.O. Box 63, Stone Ridge, N.Y. 12484, or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, General Post Office, P.O. Box 26174, New York, N.Y. 10087-6174. (www.GJMoylanFuneralHome.com)