Marie A. Pato affectionately known simply as “Aunt” by her family, was born Marie Adkins to Norris and Linda Adkins on November 28, 1928 in Milford Connecticut. She was a resident of Fairfield County for most of her life. She was immensely proud to be a Connecticut resident. She always told stories fondly of raising Pure Bred Champion English Bulldogs with her parents. One of her favorite memories was attending Yale University Football games with her father as his English Bulldog was their original Mascot.

After graduating from Milford High School in 1938, she married Andrew Pato and moved to Trumbull Connecticut to stay and work on Andrew’s family’s farm. She spent time in New Jersey as her husband, who was with the military, was stationed there. That is where she met her lifelong friends, The Wilson Family, whom she loved to visit in the summers throughout her life and had precious memories of the Jersey shore spent with them and her family from Connecticut. Marie and her husband spent time in East Charleston Vermont, where they owned vacation cottages along the banks of Echo Lake. In 1950, her son Jonathan came to her and she just doted over him and was truly a dedicated to him and her grandchildren Marc, Tina, Lisa, and Lynda. After her husband passed away her nephew bought a house in Trumbull Connecticut with an in-law apartment so she could live with his family. She truly enjoy being able to spend time with her three nephews and watching them grew up. She remained extremely close to them through her life, and when her great-great nieces and nephews arrived she was always willing to lend a hand night and day with babysitting, rides to school, and other motherly activities. She resided with The Willey family in Trumbull until 1985 when her nephew moved his family to Vermont.

Marie worked in many fields throughout her life, however all the positions she held were related to serving others as this was one her greatest qualities that she dedicated herself to, not only professionally, but personally as well. The most notable to companies she spent time with were The State of Connecticut, Unger Yarn Importers, The Taunton Press, and C&E Nichols Appliance Repair.

Marie was a 65-year member of The Order of The Eastern Star (Lady Martha Chapter - Monroe, CT) and International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She was very dedicated to these organizations throughout her life serving as Grand Worthy Advisor for O.E.S and Mother Advisor for Rainbow. She felt fortunate to be a member of organizations that held service, family, and morality in such high regard.

One of Marie’s favorite past times besides knitting J was traveling she had spent in Nevada with her brother in-law’s family and Washington State with O.E.S. She also enjoyed vacationing with her nephews and grandchildren, in such places as Hershey Park, Philadelphia, New York Wine Country, and Disney World in Florida.

Marie was also known for always opening her home to others, she had always welcomed her nephews and friends while they were in the Navy and providing a home for them when they were just starting out in the world. No matter where her nephews were in the world they always knew that had a home to go to at Aunt’s

Marie spent her retirement years living in the Senior Housing Complex in Shelton Connecticut, where she made many special friends and served on their Board of Directors for many years. She genuinely enjoyed serving on the board and being able to represent her follow neighbors and friends ensuring they were well taken care and represented fairly. In 2018 the time came that she could no longer live on her own safely and moved in with her great-nephew in Largo Florida. She was so incredibly happy to be able to be with him again.

Unfortunately, in 2019 after her mobility declined she moved into a nursing care facility. Although she was not thrilled about being in a care home, she did enjoy the activities they held and time socializing others. Her family made sure she was well cared for and had everything she wanted and needed for the last two years of her life. When the time came, she moved into a Hospice house in Palm Bay Florida, so she could spend her remaining days in a peaceful home like environment. Marie was an amazing woman who dedicated her life to family, service of others, and making all who she met feel important and loved. She will be dearly missed by all those who were lucky to have known her.