It is with a deep sense of sadness, love, and compassion that we share with you that our mother, Patricia Stuart Fritzsche, affectionately known as Poppy, Patsy, Pattylo, and Patty, passed away peacefully on May 8. She was surrounded by her family, flowers, and many household pets.
Patsy was born 2/27/1928 to Charles Edward Stuart and Dorothy Sanders Stuart in New Orleans. She was the youngest sister to Dorothy Stuart Dent and Elizabeth Burke who predeceased her. She was also predeceased by her husband, Alfred Fritzsche III, her daughter Peggy, and daughter Caroline Fritzsche Hobart.
She is survived by her daughter Patricia (Pip) Fritzsche (Ted Malek), son Alfred Fritzsche (Sherry), daughter Beth Rowland, son Adam Fritzsche, and daughter Heidi Fritzsche O’Rourke (Michael). She is also survived by her 17 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Patsy married the love of her life, Alfred Fritzsche, while he was attending Dartmouth College. After graduation, they moved from Darien to Colorado Springs, then to Cody Wyoming, to Lewiston and Freeport Maine, to Thornton, Pa, then back to Riverside, CT, some eleven years later. During that time, she bore her seven children with each child born in a different state. Can you imagine their lives?
Patsy was outgoing, always wearing a smile and constantly offering a hand to anyone. Her special gift was in giving whatever she could to make life easier for others.
She was charming and beautiful - and she loved the art world. From the clothes she wore to her paintings, her colorful jewelry (mostly made by her sister-in-law Baboo Smiles), and the way she assembled flowers. She loved to dance, and she adored the wonderful friendships she made, especially here in Noank and Mystic, where she lived for some fifty-four years.
Patsy loved gardening (she had a green thumb) and was an active and supportive member of the Mystic Garden Club. She shared many stories about her wreath-making adventures, such as cutting twigs and branches off trees in the middle of the night so she wouldn’t be caught. She also was a member of the Mystic Museum of Art. She was a loved member of St Mark’s Church. She also was a member of Ram Island Yacht Club for 50 years, having enjoyed sailing, parties, and many, many friendships. Patsy enjoyed volunteering and especially enjoyed working with her friends at the Child and Family Agency.
In her later years, she rekindled her love for Art alongside her daughter Pip Fritzsche. Her paintings were shown in a calendar that was shared with family and friends. Her latest adventure of pottery paintings will soon be displayed as a calendar as well.
Patsy, Pattylo, Patty, and our dearest Poppy has left this world admired, loved dearly, and in peace. If you feel that you would like to donate in her memory, please think of making it to St. Mark’s Church in Mystic, CT, or Hospice of Southeastern CT, both of whose loving care helped Mom and us all in her final days.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church 15 Pearl Street Mystic, CT. at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 22. The burial will be private.