Patricia Guiney

Groton — Patricia (Sweeney) “Pat” Perka Guiney, 90, died Sunday, May 8, 2022, at Fairview in Groton. She was surrounded by loved ones who shared photos, funny stories and good memories as she peacefully passed on. Patricia was born Dec. 14, 1931, in Norwich, the daughter of Thomas P. and Jane P. (Toomey) Sweeney.

She was a proud graduate of Norwich Free Academy in 1949, where she built many friendships and memories that lasted a lifetime. In 1956, she married Stanley Perka, a Groton police officer she met at Eastern Point Beach where he was a lifeguard. They enjoyed five happy years together until Stan’s untimely death in 1961. She found love again with Philip Guiney, and they married in 1966, and shared the next 46 years together. Pat and Phil had lived in Norwich, where they raised their five boys before retiring to Groton.

Pat had worked in real estate, was elected as a Justice of the Peace and worked as an administrative aide in the Governor’s Eastern Office for a number of years. Her most cherished role was that of being a mother. She was also the former president of the Norwich Women’s City Club, a committee member on all her NFA reunions, active in the Norwich Democratic Town Committee and a longtime volunteer at William W. Backus Hospital.

Patricia is survived by five sons: Philip Daniel Guiney Jr. and his wife Cindy of Stuart, Fla., Patrick Guiney and his wife Susan of Bristol, Stephen Guiney and his wife Jess of Gautier, Miss., Jeffrey Perka of Norwich, and Kevin Guiney and his wife Shannon of Arlington, Mass.; and 10 grandchildren who brought her much joy throughout her life. She will also be missed by her beloved niece Colleen Sweeney of Groton, who was always there for her during the difficult journey of her last few years. She was predeceased by her parents; first husband Stanley Perka; second husband Philip Guiney; and her brother, 46th District State Representative Tom Sweeney.

A small ceremony for family and friends will take place later in the summer. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Fairview, the Oddfellows Home of Connecticut, the non-profit skilled cared facility that cared for Patricia so well over the past six years. Donations can be made in

Pat’s memory to Fairview, 235 Lestertown Road, Groton, CT 06340. Please visit www.byles. com to sign the online register or to share a memory.