SZCZESIUL, PATRICIA

Patricia (Pat) Szczesiul peacefully died in the arms of her spouse Cathy, with their rescue dog Sammy by their side on Thursday, February 25th, 2021. She battled lung cancer for 5 ½ years never giving up. Her strength throughout this journey was an inspiration to many. Pat was put here by her Creator on June 30th, 1947, who chose who she was. Knowing her orientation early on, it was not an easy task growing up knowing there wasn’t acceptance to be part of everyday life. Her parents, John and Helen (Witek) raised her in Derby, CT with an example of kindness, helping others, persistence and strength, traits she always lived by. Pat had a loving and giving spirit always willing to help those less fortunate. She touched so many lives in so many ways. Pat attended St. Michael’s Catholic school In Derby and was a graduate of Mount Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, Connecticut. Her entire career was in the insurance industry as a claims manager. Her interests were numerous including gardening, reading, (she loved books on bridges and earthquakes), home projects, handwriting notes and letters and watching her woodpeckers and hummingbirds. Pat and Cathy were married in Brattleboro, Vermont on July 5, 2013 and spent more than 21 years together. During their life together they lived in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine and enjoyed frequent trips throughout New England. Their favorite spots included Ogunquit, Maine; Northampton, Massachusetts and Burlington, Vermont, especially for the jazz festival. Pat is survived by her spouse Catherine (Cathy) Vollkommer; brother Paul, nieces Jessica, Nicole, and Leah; grandniece Gwen; in-laws; many cousins and close friends. Pat is predeceased by her mother and father; brother John; and nieces Julie and Emily. Special thank you to Kennebunk New England Cancer Specialists who lovingly cared for Pat. Lucia Osiecki who spent the final days caring for Pat and Cathy and Hospice of Southern Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Small Dog Rescue of New England in Cranston, Rhode Island; American Lung Association or UU Church of Sacco-Biddeford. Visiting Hours will Monday, March 1st, 2021 from 11:00AM-1:00PM. Due to COVID-19 the family will have a private service at 1:00PM following the visiting hours. Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel. To share condolences online, please visit www.HopeMemorial.com.

Students, teachers and relatives abducted two weeks ago from a school in northern Nigeria have been freed.

The students, teachers and family members were abducted Feb. 17 by gunmen from the Government Science College Kagara.

Niger State Gov. Abubakar Sani Bello said he received 24 students, six staff and eight relatives on Saturday after they were released early in the morning.

This number released differed from the 42 people that the governor had originally said were kidnapped by the attackers, indicating some may still be missing. The discrepancy was not explained.

One of the students has been hospitalized for excessive exhaustion, he said, adding that the released will be medically checked and monitored for a few days before being reunited with family.