Patricia K. Messere

Patricia K. Messere, 86, of Lincoln, passed away peacefully on Wednesday April 15th, surrounded by her family. She was the wife of the late Donald Messere.

Born in Providence, she was a daughter of the late Frank, Sr. And Alberta (Cunha) Galleshaw.

Patricia graduated from St. Mary’s, Bay View and attended Bryant College. She worked at Superior Court as a stenographer. Most of her lifelong jobs began and ended with family.

Patti was proud of her family background and traditions. She grew up in old world fashion of fine dining, elegant dress, and the fine arts. Her mother began her cultural journey as a woman of many talents. Patti would learn at her side what it was to make a house a home, share love, and make everyday extra ordinary. Love of God and love of neighbor set the tone for her life.

Bay View Academy was always her fondest memory growing up. She spoke often of the plays, the nuns that impacted her life, and still shares friendships today! What a gift to have companionship and girlfriends that know all your secrets and love you always! Patti’s friends made life worth living and gave her sisters she never had. Watching such endearing friends share a special bond only warms our hearts. She kept her roots with Bay View and often enjoyed going to the annual showcase that would remind her of the talent and faith filled fun they cultivated at school.

Amongst the many family talents, ballroom dancing was always a passion. Each one had a style and flare of their own. Patti and her brother Frankie would dance in competition and enjoy Saturday nights at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. It was her brother Gerry that would bring her soulmate in to view. Patti first saw the love of her life standing at the corner drugstore at 15 y.o. Donald was a friend of Gerry’s and later they would finally meet, when she was old enough to go dancing with her brothers. Patti would say it was “love at first site”, and Donald would say it was “love at first step”!

Patti and Donald would be a match made in heaven. “Dancing cheek to cheek” was their favorite past time. Their daughters would love and admire how they would glide across the floor. They married in 1960 and soon began a family. Five girls in six years….wow!

Patti didn’t miss a beat. She devoted her days, nights, and heart to her girls. With the help of her mother, she made their clothes, kept them well dressed, and instilled a deep faith in the Lord. Sunday was for church and family. To the last days it was the same. She would receive communion, now at home, from Sr. Patricia, her niece, and great nephew over the later years. Her daughter and grandchildren would now make the meals and listen to her stories sharing a few of their own to carry on the Sunday tradition.

Special times at Christmas were a favorite. The tree was trimmed, the table was set, and gifts were perfectly under the tree. Macy’s and Martha Stewart had nothing on Patti. Patti and Donald would host an annual Christmas party in later years for close family and friends. It was a great time to relax and remember what’s important in the hustle and bustle of life. 40 or 50 people would look forward to coming and honor Patti to make her life even more special!

As her daughters married Patti would enjoy her daughters now carrying on the holiday cheer. Sharing special times with their mother was easy. Diner and a show was a favorite. She loved the crooners and musicals best. She would look forward to meeting the artists after the show when it was allowed. Patti’s 85th birthday was a special treat as the singers on stage called her out to sing Happy Birthday to this special lady. What a thrill as she stood up, the spotlight was on her, in her sequin jacket and bedazzled cane and glasses, of course! They blew her kisses from the stage, sang to her, and the audience joined to finish the song. Naturally, she took pictures with them after the show. Walking out of the theatre, people would say “happy birthday, Patti”, admiring her dress and how great she looked at her age. Patti’s smile and spirit have always been ageless! The love of the arts and getting dressed to the nines would be a small part of the legacy she leaves. She passes that on to even her littlest great grandchildren, that love the party dresses!

Patricia has been a lifelong member and supporter of her parish, Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She would cultivate her children’s faith weekly at church. Sitting on the left side in about the 5th row, you would see 5 “perfectly dressed children quietly sitting in a row” at 11 am mass. Getting that many children ready was a feat in itself. Patti would also support her church teaching CCD at her home. The children went to Catholic schools throughout their years to continue that faith. Patti would be the first Uber service with 5 customers. She took then to/from school, functions, and anything they needed. She would also be better than google maps once they started driving. Patti would come to the rescue to guide and to give directions if you were stuck in traffic or lost. As long as there was a bakery or good restaurant on route, she would get you there!

Dancing. What a gift! In her later years, doctors would say, “what did you do as a profession….”. Patti would say, aside of being a devoted mom of 5 children, “I was a performer”. Patti would be trained in ballet, tap, and jazz. She would be the youngest member of the Palmerettes dance troop. Patti would then talk about being in a production of the King and I when she was younger. She sang on the radio. Danced with her children in recitals, and she was in a production at the Barker Players of George M. Cohen. 4 of her daughters would be extras in the play, too. She would be a dance teacher for many years. Her daughters would be their own group. As the family often drew attention, it was especially noticeable when the 5 dancers turned into 6. Who was that cute lady on the end? Mom! What another gift! The legacy of dance continued.

Her later years were filled with quieter times balanced with living life to the fullest. She would rise to any occasion she was invited to if that day her body would cooperate. She enjoyed her Florida retreat, especially this winter and was grateful to miss all the snow. Patti was grateful to share a trip to Disney with some grandchildren just weeks ago. She also enjoyed being with her grandchildren and newest great grandchildren the day before her passing at Wright’s Farm. She enjoyed sharing time with the family. She loved all her “peeps” dearly and unconditionally.

There is so much more to Patti’s legacy, but faith, hope and love are at the heart.

The greatest of these is love. She thanks you for being part of her life journey, until we meet again!

She is survived by her five daughters, Maryanne M. Bedard, Deborah A. Tucciaroni, Donna M. Neveu, Diane Messere Magee, and Doreen A. Nanni, ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was the grandmother of the late Bradford Neveu, and sister of the late Frank Galleshaw, Jr. and Gerald Galleshaw.

Visiting hours will be at the A.A. Mariani & Son Funeral Home, 200 Hawkins Street, Providence, Saturday April 25th, from 8:00am -10:00 am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am at the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1081 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Burial will follow in St Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket.