Patricia Simpkins Panarello
Patricia Simpkins Panarello, known to all who loved her as Patsy, passed away on March 18 after a brief period of illness due to stroke.
Born in Philadelphia on February 24, 1936, Patsy was the sixth of seven “Simpkins Girls” born to Warren James and Mary Agnew Simpkins. Patsy and her sisters shared an extraordinary bond of love, loyalty and laughter that was cherished by all.
Patsy’s swath of thick blond hair and sparkling emerald green eyes were eclipsed only by her lively wit and charming personality. A graduate of St. Robert’s School and Notre Dame High School, Patsy worked as a teller at PSFS, a job she enjoyed and often recalled with great fondness. She then met her husband of over 50 years, George “Chubby” Panarello and became a homemaker and number one Mom. Patsy was the cool mom; she drank Coke out of a coffee cup in the morning, dined on buttercreams for breakfast, and looked better in her sunglasses and go-go boots than either of her daughters. Patsy enjoyed football and sports. She cheered her son from the sidelines at every Unionville football game, and could discuss - ahem, argue - about the attributes and shortcomings of every pro player and team. Patsy loved the shore; summers were spent on her famous beach cot, avidly reading and chatting with friends and family. Winters were for skiing, especially out West with friends and with her surrogate grandchildren Phil and Chris. Patsy loved Atlantic City, where she passed many hours. Well, really very many hours! She was gifted with very good luck and generously treated those around her with the fruits of her winnings. Patsy was an awesome baker - her cookies and cakes were always eagerly awaited at family gatherings and holidays. Patsy was also famous for her love and feeding of every wild animal or stray animal that came to her door. Her home resembled Noah’s Ark recently, with her favorites being her raccoons and feral cats. But Patsy’s greatest joy was people. Her relationships with her sisters, her children, her nieces and nephews, and friends sustained her as much as the air that she breathed. Pasty was indeed, the light of our lives.
Patsy was predeceased by her husband, Chubby Panarello, and her sisters Mary Simpkins, Gail Simpkins, and Sarah Whalen. She is survived by her children Maryalice St.Clair (David), Fran Panarello, and George Panarello (Danielle), and by her sisters Anne Duffy (Tom), Jane Duffy and Hope Morgan, as well as many nieces and nephews and their children.
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass on Friday March 24 at 10:00 AM in St. Cornelius Church 160 Ridge Rd. Chadds Ford where friends may call from 8:30 to 9:45 AM. Int. Private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers, a charity that Patsy supported since her youth (maryknollsociety. org)
www.carrfuneralhome. net