Obituary of Patricia Susan Williams

Patricia S. Williams, 74, died on April 23rd, following a brief illness. An Owego staple, she could be seen daily jogging in and around the village for more than fifty years. Born on April 22, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York, Pat and her family eventually migrated to Upper Front Street. She graduated from OFA a year early in 1968, and then from Cortland Teachers' College in 1972. She successfully taught English for Tioga Central Schools for 39 years, surviving literal and figurative storms in her personal life: two floods and two divorces. Never one to let life get her down, she pursued landscaping, flower and vegetable gardening, and canning with all the passion typical of her industrious nature. As an English teacher, she naturally had a love of reading, but she also had a life-long desire to know, to learn, and to grow, even spending many of her later years studying the Bible with friends. In addition to being an avid reader and gardener, Pat pursued many creative interests, prolifically producing many impressive works of art: water-color paintings, carved gourds, stained glass windows, tables and wall hangings, which she generously shared with her friends. Having purchased the house next door to her childhood home as a young adult, Pat was able to selflessly devote her retirement years to caring for her aging parents, Charles and Helen Katchmir, who predeceased her in 2010 and 2023, respectively. Pat had many devoted friends throughout her life—you all know who you are—and many cherished furry companions including Bullet, her German Shepherd, and faithful cats, Neena, Cleo, Manny and Fritz. Loyal, loving and tender-hearted, Pat couldn't bear to see animals mistreated and did everything she could make their lives better. To honor Pat's memory, please consider adopting a pet from a local shelter or making a monetary donation in her name. Her friends would like to thank all the doctors and nurses on the sixth floor at Robert Packer Hospital for their attentive and compassionate care. We appreciate you! Private funeral services were held at the Estey, Munroe & Fahey Funeral Home. Pat is buried in the Ukrainian Cemetery in Athens, PA.