Obituary of Patricia R. Coleman

Patricia R. (Connolly) Coleman, 94, wife of the late Paul J. Coleman, MD, passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones on Monday, September 11, 2023. She was born in Boston, MA on October 18, 1928, daughter of the late John and Ellen (Donovan) Connolly.  She is predeceased by both her parents, half-sister Janet Marie (Hamilton) Kratman, half-brother John Joseph Hamilton, half-brother Henry William Hamilton, her beloved Aunt Nora Francis (Connolly) O’Callaghan and her cousin Reverend Tiernan O’Callaghan, O. Carm (Uncle Jack).

Patricia attended Saint Elizabeth’s Nursing School in Boston and graduated as a registered nurse.  She then studied at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Education.  While at Catholic University, she met the love of her life, Paul, who was studying medicine at Georgetown University. Paul and Patricia married and settled in Danbury where they raised their family.  Patricia was the best mom anyone could have asked for and raised five children with ease and grace.  As a grandmother, she never missed a soccer game, dance recital, horseback lesson, concert, or rugby game.  She attended every graduation, and milestone achievement and would beam with pride as she watched her grandchildren grow and become wonderful adults.  Holidays and family meals were loud, fun, and filling.  Dessert was a special treat as Patricia always found room for a post meal treat in what she called a “special compartment” that left enough space for something sweet.  Chocolate was her favorite, but she rarely refused anything confectionary. Patricia was an avid reader and loved books of mystery and suspense. A fan of poetry, she would recite many poems she had learned over the years.  She was an intelligent and curious woman, a gifted writer, and had a memory like a steel trap.

She was a cheerful, happy person who looked on the bright side.  She was a friend that anyone would love to have.  A devout Catholic, her faith was part of her daily life as she would start every morning praying the rosary and later in life watching Mass on television every day.

Patricia was a giving person with a servant’s heart.  She welcomed into her home both her best friend Carmela Calcagno and her Aunt Nora and cared for them directly in their final days. Later in life, even into her 90s, she did the same for her beloved husband Paul until he passed in 2021.

Patricia is lovingly missed by her children; Paul Coleman and his wife Kim, Anne Gallagher, William Coleman, John Coleman and Patrick Coleman and his wife Sheri; her grandchildren, Jordan Coleman, Shannon Grace, Carolyn Marien and her husband, Jay, Shannon and Kerry Gallagher, Max, Jessie, Sean, and Cristina Coleman; and her two great granddaughters, Olivia and Hazel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on September 18, 2023, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury. There are no calling hours. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery, Danbury.

Patricia’s family is grateful to Connecticut Hospice for taking such wonderful care of her.  They are truly special individuals. Memorial donations may be made to Connecticut Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT 06405.