BOSTON… Patricia Mary ‘Pat’ Patricelli, a beloved friend to many in the Boston, Brown University, fashion, and arts communities, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2021, at the Pat Roche Hospice House in Hingham, surrounded by loved ones. She was 85.
Born in Fall River, Pat was the daughter of the late James R. and Katherine (Urban) Patricelli and sister of the late James R. Patricelli, Jr.
Pat attended the all-girls Dominican Academy in Fall River and went on to earn a BA in English Literature from Pembroke/Brown University in 1958. Her career quickly took off in Boston, where she became the Fashion Director for Filene’s Department Store, reporting trends from Paris and Milan and introducing American designers to Boston society. Later, Pat applied her retail expertise as the Director of Sales Promotion for The Sheraton Corporation and traveled the world building hospitality partnerships.
Pat was a vibrant and active member of the Boston Community and a passionate fan of the Boston Red Sox. Her interest in the arts, her devotion to her alma mater, and her professional life translated into extensive philanthropic commitments. She was a past president of the Fashion Group of Boston and served on the boards of the Schepens Eye Research Institute and the Boston Ballet Company. She also enthusiastically led the 25th and 50th reunions of her class at Brown University. In her retirement Pat spent 12 years volunteering for Literations, Inc., as a reading tutor at the Blackstone Elementary School in Boston’s South End. A lifelong learner and lover of the performing arts, Pat audited classes at Boston University and maintained theatre and symphony subscriptions late into her retirement.
A lifelong devout Catholic, Patricia is survived by many close friends, several cousins, and multiple godchildren.
A funeral to which all are invited will be held Saturday, December 18 with calling hours from 8:30-9:30 AM at Boyko Memorial Funeral Home, 709 Broadway, Fall River, MA 02724 followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street Fall River, MA 02721. Interment immediately following the Mass will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Fall River.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Patricia’s honor can be addressed to Literations, Inc., 1 Federal Street, 5th Floor, Boston, MA 02110, or online at secure.givelively.org/donate/literations/pat-patricelli. For over 20 years, Literations has worked to reduce the literacy achievement gap, pairing older adult volunteer literacy coaches with young students throughout the Greater Boston area. Literations empowers young readers for lifelong learning.