SHOTWELL, Patricia (Patsy) Kendall, of Weston. Born in 1927 in New York City, she was adopted by William Morgan Kendall and Harriet Anne Parsons Kendall of Buffalo, New York. Patsy graduated from Buffalo Seminary in 1945 and matriculated at Cornell University, where she served as editor of The Cornell Sun and earned her bachelor’s degree in 1949. In 1948 she married Stuart McIlvaine Shotwell.
In 1954 the couple settled in Weston, and Patsy poured her energies into caring for home and family, which ultimately grew to a boisterous group of seven children along with associated cats, dogs and Marshmallow, the guinea pig, not to mention her dearly loved honorary son, John McCarter. She later earned a degree in communications at Simmons College, leading to a position as the manager of the Brook School Apartments, Weston’s elderly housing facility.
Long active in the League of Women Voters, Patsy was to find a true home for her commitment to spirituality and social justice as a Quaker. While a member of Wellesley Friends Meeting, Patsy served as Clerk of that Meeting and of the Permanent Board of New England Yearly Meeting for many years. Post retirement, she worked with the Friends of the Weston Council on Aging, as an Election Warden, and even for a time in the Weston Town Office.
Patsy died peacefully on July 27, 2018. To the end, she expressed her love and appreciation for her many dear friends who kept her company in her last years. These included her good neighbors Sharon White and Jean-Yves Loizance and many of those dear to her at Wellesley Friends Meeting. Wyatt Maurer was an abiding source of delight, calm and strength. Nick Pearson could be counted on for many a fascinating conversation, and took it upon himself to make sure, together with Wyatt, that Patsy’s dog, Caeli, enjoyed daily long walks and affectionate company. Judith Umutesi was a kind and stalwart caregiver. Alex Anza continued to keep watch over Patsy like a guardian angel. Patsy’s family is grateful to these and all the many other good helpers of that time.
Patsy is survived by Stuart M. Shotwell, by her children, Judith Shotwell (Thom Fortson), Jennifer (Jenny) Shotwell, Deborah Shotwell, Peter Shotwell (Mary Dunn), Mary Shotwell, William (Will) Shotwell, and Tricia Concannon (James Concannon); by nephew David McBride and nieces Tracy McBride and Leigh McBride; by grandchildren Oona Hoffman (Kevin) and Seamus Concannon; by step-granddaughter Marah Snoeyink (Craig); and by step great-grandchildren Jacob and Kayla Snoeyink.
A memorial gathering will be held for Patsy at the Weston Town Hall, at 2:00 pm on October 20, 2018. The family suggests that, in lieu of sending flowers, those who miss her might brighten someone’s day with an unexpected act of kindness and/or make a contribution to the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence, the Weston Council on Aging, WGBH, or the League of Women Voters.