Obituary of Patricia Ann Fornataro

In the early morning hours of Thursday, December 22, Patricia Ann (Mecchella) Fornataro, age seventy-eight, was unburdened of her physical pain. She passed at Winthrop University Hospital, with her grandson present and her daughter holding her hand. Patricia entered this world on September 15, 1944, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the first child born to Pasquale (Pascal) Mecchella and Maryann (Nagy) Mecchella. The Mecchella family lived in various parts of Brooklyn and Queens, before moving to Long Island. Pat grew up on Ocean and Euclid Avenue with her two sisters and brother. She loved helping her mother care for her younger siblings, babysitting, and going to school. After graduating from Massapequa High School, Pat earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Queens College, and her Master's in Education from Long Island University. Patricia was appointed to P.S.70, Queens, in February of 1969. Over the next thirty-two years, she would teach first, second, third, and fourth grades before becoming the school's computer teacher; Mrs. Fornataro adored all "her kids". As an active member of both school and district activities, she headed P.S.70's newspaper for five years, was faculty advisor for the magazine at Junior High School 141, and worked in District 30's after-school gifted and talented program. Pat was active in several committees over the years, and served as Chairperson for the Technology Committee and the Social Committee, making many lifelong friends. On June 28, 1968, Patricia Mecchella married Corrado Fornataro at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Astoria. They lived on 24th Street, gave birth to their only child, Marisa, in 1970, and moved to Stewart Manor in 1978. Patricia would instill in her daughter a love of the Arts and entertainment, reading, music, calligraphy, crafting, baking, Christmas, and Perry Como. She also loved needlepoint, Andrea Bocelli, Elvis, Chinese food, shopping, and most importantly, her grandchildren. She made the best grilled cheese sandwiches and was famous for her creampuffs and manicotti. She also formed lasting memories in many of her daughter's friends just by being the wonderful, caring person she was. Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Anne Dow, and her in-laws, Genesio and Filomena (Cavallo)Fornataro. She is survived by her husband, Corrado; daughter, Marisa Fornataro-Smith; brother, Joseph Mecchella (Brenda); sister, Liz Recco (Rob); sister-in-law, Edda Fornataro; grandchildren, Cade Smith and Sean Michael Smith; and many dear cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family. Funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 30, at Church of St. Anne in Garden City. Patricia will be laid to rest at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.