Patricia (Giess) Wilbur departed this world in the early evening of Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at her home in Noank, following a two-year battle with cancer.
Pat was born Sept. 22, 1935, in Mineola, N.Y., to Ruth Osterheld and Edward E. Giess. She grew up in Floral Park, N.Y., attended Sewanhaka High School, and later graduated from Alfred University.
The year 1959 saw Pat in Noank (she was fond of saying she only planned to stay one summer), where she met John "Jack" E. Wilbur. They were married on August 22 of that year.
She had four children, Charles, John, Christine, and James, all of whom were with her when she crossed over. In addition, she is survived by seven grandchildren, Andrew and Isabella Wilbur, Marshall and Christopher Wilbur, and Jack, Sam, and Abbie Race; niece, Penny Newberry; brother, Edward Giess of Columbia, S.C., sister-in-law, Rosemary, and their three sons.
Her husband, Jack, predeceased her in January 1990.
When raising children began to loosen its demands upon her time, Pat worked at the Bureau of Business Practices in Waterford and then spent 15 years in the Ships Plans Department at Mystic Seaport Museum, in both paid and volunteer capacities. In addition, she was a Peace Advocate, member of the Mystic Calligrapher Guild, Noank Historical Society, as well a board member for the Noank Baptist Church Nursery School.
Aside from her family, the Noank Baptist Church was the focal point of her daily life. Pat joined the church shortly after her arrival in Noank and sang in the choir. For many years she was also involved with Noank Baptist Group Homes, Mystic River Homes, and Church Street House. Her love of music also led her to dabble in community theater as well as support the Mystic Area Ecumenical Council Choir Festival.
A memorial service for Pat will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 2, at her beloved Noank Baptist Church. A reception will follow in the vestry. Her ashes will be scattered privately at sea.
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