(Smith) Partington, Patricia
Patricia “Pat” (Smith) Partington, 92, of Newington, passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023. Pat was born in Meriden on January 13, 1931 to Harmon and Bernice (Mckay) Smith. After losing their mother at a young age, Pat and her brother, Dennis, were raised by their father and beloved stepmother, Eleanor. The family lived in Connecticut and Maine throughout her childhood. Pat later graduated from the Teachers College of Connecticut (now CCSU) with a bachelor's degree in education.
After graduation, Pat began her long teaching career in the Hartford Public Schools. During her first year of teaching kindergarten, she met her husband, Sidney Partington, a history teacher. They were married on June 26, 1954 and spent 59 wonderful years together. Pat and Sid were popular among their students and they cherished their years in the classroom.
Pat enjoyed traveling with her family, particularly on their annual camping trips (including one memorable cross-country road trip) and many visits to Aruba. She was a voracious reader, known for staying up until the early hours of the morning to finish a good book. Pat was a big fan of Uconn basketball and rarely skipped a game. She was a skilled seamstress, often sewing clothing for her children and creating homemade Halloween costumes each year. Pat was also an excellent baker, never missing a chance to contribute to a school or church function. Her grandchildren will fondly remember their trips to Grammie and Grampie's house, which were filled with sewing projects, crafts, baking, swimming, and plenty of affection from Pat and Sid's adoring German shepherds. Pat was a longtime member of the Church of Christ Congregational in Newington and will be missed by the entire church community. Her positive demeanor brightened the days of everyone she encountered.
Pat is survived by her brother, Dennis Smith (wife Susan); her daughters, Kerri Teraila and Kellie Nygren (husband Bob); her son, Eric Partington; her grandchildren, Kristen Teraila (husband Trevor Martin); Justin Teraila (wife Heather); Katrina Carasiti (husband Matt); Valerie Nygren and Hallie Nygren; her great-granddaughters, Natalie and Lilly Martin; and her great-grandsons, Bruce Teraila and Luca Carasiti. She is predeceased by her husband, Sidney, and her son-in-law, Kirk Teraila. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Christ Congregational at 1075 Main St., Newington, CT 06111. The family will receive friends at a reception in the Fellowship Hall following the service. Memorial donations can be made to the Church of Christ Congregational or the Lucy Robbins Welles Library at 100 Garfield St., Newington, CT 06111. The Duksa Family Funeral Homes at Newington Memorial is in care of the arrangements. To share a condolence with her family, please visit www. duksa.net.