Patricia M. Strong

Patricia, better known as “Pat” or “Patty”, was a deeply devoted, loving, gentle Mother, and Grandmother. There are so many things she accomplished during her life that it is difficult to summarize to any degree for which she deserves. I will begin with her professional endeavors, and I invite you to stay for the real life she built as a single mother from the 1960’s to her recent passing. This woman: built her life and family through adversity, obstacles, hurdles and celebrations and victories, rightfully earning her place in the heritage of the “Strong” name. Join our family in celebrating her beautifully curated legacy.

Patricia is survived by a sister, Martha (Jo) Bull (Charles), Woodruff, SC; three sons, Todd Strong (Beth) of Jamestown, NY; Scott Strong (Tara) of Macon, GA; Sean Strong (Cindy) of Ashville, NY. A daughter Shannon Sims (Nathan) of Southport, NC. 10 grandchildren, Emily and Molly Strong of Jamestown NY; Bailey and Jeanne Strong of

Macon Georgia; Austin Strong of Ashville, NY and Onnalee Strong of Buffalo NY, Valerie Snow and Phoenix Sims of Southport, NC, Brittany (Brett) Mlacker of Ashville, NY; Eric (Brittany) Schutt of Ashville, NY, as well as six greatgrandchildren, Briella, Brady, Baker, Brink Mlacker and Emery & Oliver Schutt. Patricia is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Patricia was genuinely close to her children & grandchildren; as said so perfectly by one of her granddaughters, “I knew my Grandma, and my Grandma knew me”.

Patricia earned her diploma from the state of Hawaii in 1972 while living in Waikiki HI, later receiving her Dental Surgeon Assistants Training/Certfication from the United States Air Force in 1973, and in 1975 completed her Emergency Medical Technician Certification from the Fayetteville Technical Institute in NC. Patricia worked as a professional Seamstress and Costume Designer in the 1980’s & 1990’s. Patricia’s keen eye for costume design led to her working with Shea’s Theater Buffalo, Lucille Ball Little Theater of Jamestown, NY; later being given the Head Seamstress and Costume Designer position for Summer Stock with the Professional Equity Performers at Struthers Library Theater in Warren, PA. She was a talented alumni thespian/dancer of Lucille Ball Little Theater and performed in several shows in conjunction with her many other creative passions. Years later she worked as the Head Seamstress for the Bridal Shoppe of Jamestown, NY; often hired to recreate children’s dresses to match the bridal party’s vision. Pat was a well-known night owl and could regularly be found sewing at the kitchen table, and in later years as she took up jewelry making. Some of our favorite family moments happened at that table keeping her company over great conversation, a pot of coffee ready, lots of laughs while she taught us everything about whatever masterful creative endeavor she was immersed within. She would often say, “don’t buy that, I can make it”, and she did! Her brilliant creations graced many notable stages throughout her career, and she was well-known for her creative attributes throughout her life.

Patricia’s volunteer work included serving the Chautauqua County Community as the President of City Council PTA, District Director for the Southwestern New York State PTA, Treasurer of the District PTA, Chairperson for the Home School Community Advisory Board, earning her a Lifetime Honorary Member of PTA Award. She also volunteered and was a member of the New York State AIDS Curriculum Committee.

Patricia is credited with advocating through her work with the PTA for the addition of seatbelts on school busses. There was not one child she wouldn’t advocate for, especially those with learning disabilities that needed better access to services and respect.

The work Pat loved most was being the best mother to her four children, and the coolest grandmother to her 10 grandchildren. Her life as Mom and Grandma were paramount to her heart throughout her life and she loved her family deeply. You could always find her anywhere her children or grandchildren were, at theater performances, auditions or recitals, on the baseball, cheerleading or soccer fields, swim meets, karate dojos, art gallery shows, concert performances as well as a’cappella & madrigal performances cheering all of us on and reminding us to work hard at any skill we were trying to perfect. There was rarely an event or musical missed as she loved nothing more than being our biggest cheerleader, protector and advocate.

Pat was known for so many things, most importantly an ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community as well as a very outspoken political partisan stalwart who passionately fought for equal rights for everyone, especially those less fortunate. At her core, Pat was a fierce political feminist humanitarian and fought loudly to provide support to anyone who needed a strong voice on their side. She refused to believe that anyone should be viewed or treated without respect, love and equity. If you knew her personally- you knew she was in your corner, and what a powerful force she was to have on your side. If she was not on your side, you were likely met with righteous indignation as she certainly did not fear anyone telling her to stop using her voice for positive change for all. Pat believed in actively working to change inequalities and injustices and had a knack for empowering others to join her. Although she could be a very vocal humanitarian – she balanced that with being a private, self-effacing, modest altruist who believed that all good deeds should remain between only oneself and the Lord. Pat lovingly lived her life as though nobody was a stranger to her and if anyone needed a helping hand, she was the person to call.

One of her less-publicly known passions were her days as a female Race Car Driver. Patricia competed in many Sports Car Club of America paved circuit races and time trials, while winning most all of them. She was one of the only female race car drivers in her area during the late 1960’s. She loved her blue Austin-Healey Sprite and her green Triumph TR7 and was adamant about learning to fix her own vehicles. Her family and friends often share stories of watching her slide out from under her car with her hair in a bun, grease on her face and under her nails; 15 minutes before they were set to go out on the town for the evening. Lovingly, they urged her to get ready quickly; and within a few minutes, she would appear elegantly donning the top of the stairs in a beautiful sundress, hair down and curled with polish on her nails looking like a woman who had never seen, much less repaired her own vehicle. Mom was revered and counted on, she knew what it meant as a woman to never allow anyone to tell her who she was or who she should become.

During her final days, she encouraged all of us to continue to love each other as fiercely as she loved all of us. She talked about her excitement over going to Heaven and looking forward to seeing her parents, her older brother, Gary Kum, her best friend, Sandy Ducat, her grandson, August Sims, and her late ex-husband, Brian Strong along with her many family and friends who have passed before her. Mom believed love was the key to solving every issue and reminded all of us to continue to build on the legacy she would leave behind.

Modestly, she asked that no service be observed. Mertz & Sons Funeral Home of Buffalo NY kindly performed the service of Cremation. When asked about a Celebration of Life she said, “Get dressed up in your favorite outfit and go out to a nice dinner and laugh and have fun with your families”. In lieu of flowers, she asked instead for donations to be made to Roswell Park Golisano Children’s Buffalo Cancer and Blood Disorders Program.

This request was decided after her very first Chemo treatment as she was in the waiting room and was given the gift of observing a child with her family ring the cancer-free bell proudly. Mom was moved to tears over this moment as she quietly reminisced on her own long lived, long loved life and legacy and it moved her compassionately.

We take solace in knowing she is no longer in any pain, in heaven watching over and continuing to protect all of those that she loved so fiercely and so deeply. To the woman so many adored, join us in celebrating Patty to one of her favorite songs, covered by Cher; “Dancing Queen”. We love you and hope you are dancing right now to such fitting lyrics of the beautiful life and legacy you built and shared. “You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life, YOU are the Dancing Queen”.