Patricia Friss Newnham, a resident of Foxdale Village, died there on June 20, 2012, at age 74. She was a wonderful mother, wife, and nurse, and helped her family, friends, and community in so many ways. Whether hosting Thanksgiving dinner for 30 international students or educating newly diagnosed diabetics, Pat always shared her generous spirit and beautiful smile.
She was born on June 7, 1938, in Hudson, NY, to Leland and Anna Frankel Friss. She grew up in Hartford, CT, and later moved to Boston, MA, where she married Dr. Robert Newnham on July 26, 1964. After 44 happy years together, he passed away in 2009.
Pat is survived by her son Randy and daughter Rosemary, their spouses, Janet Graden and Patrick Ying, and her grandsons Johnathan Newnham and Henry Ying. She is also survived by her sisters Barbara and Kathleen and many nieces and nephews. Her brother Donald preceded her in death.
A Registered Nurse, Pat was educated at Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing and Case Western Reserve University. She taught nursing at MGH from 1962 to 1966, before moving to State College. She worked at the first family planning clinic in Centre County, and later as a nurse in schools and summer camps, at Centre Community Hospital, and finally at Foxdale Village until retiring in 1993.
Pat helped to found the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association and was a longtime Red Cross volunteer. She was active in many other community groups, such as the Nurses’ Club and the AAUW. In 1989 she was honored with the Benjamin Rush award by the Centre County Medical Society for her years of outstanding work in community health.
Pat was a devoted member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County. Memorial contributions may be sent to the UUFCC, or to the American Diabetes Association, or the American Red Cross.
Her memorial service will be held in the main auditorium of Foxdale Village on July 21, 2012, at 1 pm. Attendees are requested to bring a small bouquet from their garden in a jam jar to share.
A guestbook can be signed and condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com.