Patricia Doreen Upton Stamm was born in New York City (NYC) on January 16, 1942, the third born of 12 children, to the late George and Elvira Upton. Even though the Alzheimer’s had taken away most of her memories, she would still proudly tell people that she had 11 brothers and sisters, and would name them all (including herself!): George, Dolores, Patricia, Maureen, Jerilyn, Lorraine, Eddie, Raymond, Dennis, Robert, Tommy, and Adrianne. Some core memories cannot be forgotten! Patty was a New Yorker through and through, always asking people where they were from, and asking if they’ve ever been to NYC. She was known at her memory care home for standing up and singing, “Start spreading the news…”. That was all she could remember. But the workers would start singing the next part or bring up ”New York, New York” on their phones! Her life was spent growing up in Richmond Hill, NY which was the backdrop for her memoire “Twelve Kids, One Bathroom, and a Milk Bottle”. In it she shares beautiful memories of the unique home life of a large family living in the city, showcasing her deep love and admiration for her parents and family. The antics of Patty and her life-long friend Fran also give insights into her budding sense of humor! It served her well throughout her life.

Patty was born to dance! 1950’s Rock n Roll and Motown music have remained her favorites through the decades. It comes as no surprise that she met the love of her life at a dance in 1959! Tall, dark, and handsome “Bill” (the late William R. Stamm, Sr.) was home on a weekend pass from the Navy and looking dashing in his uniform, when he swept her right off her feet! Their love story is one of deep, abiding love and devotion through all of the ups and downs of life. Reading their love letters, from 1959 – 1962, has brought an insight and new respect for the depth of their love from the very beginning. Although depression, dementia, and eventually Alzheimer’s took a toll, Bill’s love and devotion to his wife through it all is a tremendous example of True Love. It’s not surprising that she departed her mortal shell so quickly… to join her one true love on their eternal, heavenly dance floor!

Pat graduated from Dominican Commercial High School in 1959. She then worked as a secretary on Park Avenue in Manhattan at a time when wearing white gloves and dressing impeccably was the style and expectation. She also worked at the World’s Fair in Flushing NY in 1964. She went on to fulfill her most sacred and important role as wife, mother, and homemaker.

A devoted and faithful Catholic all her life, Pat married Bill on November 3, 1962, when the Cuban Missile Crisis caused them to move their wedding forward 6 months! Family members fondly recall how they were the center of the family universe when they first got married, and they seemed very glamorous like Elvis and Priscilla when they drove up in their gold caddy. They made a beautiful couple, inside and out. While they lived in Woodhaven, they hosted parties, babysat siblings, nieces and nephews, took beach trips to Rockaway and Bell Harbor, and continually developing strong bonds with their families as they grew more in love with each other. They were involved in the Teen Club at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church, and participated in Marriage Encounter, mentoring and strengthening relationships, including their own. They instilled faith into their own home as they raised their two children William (Billy), and Michele.

It was when they moved as a family to Westfield, Massachusetts (MA) in 1975 that it was discovered that Pat had a brain tumor on her pituitary gland. It was a scary time, that included many painful tests and ultimately a surgery, but one that forged her faith in Jesus Christ through the fire of that trial. Someone gave her a crucifix necklace that said, “Christ is counting on you” on the back. She never took that necklace off. It was a motto for her life. Making others smile and laugh became a way that she let her Light of Christ shine. She would tell jokes; (Why did the cookie go to the doctor? Because he was feeling crummy!), (Did you hear about the kidnapping? He woke up!), and talk to strangers in line at the grocery store, at restaurants, and generally anywhere where there were people. Especially children! Oh, how she loved children! Her magic nose and peek-a-boos have delighted little ones and her own grandchildren and great grandchildren for decades!

In 1977, the Stamm Family then moved to Hampden, MA for a couple of years, where she did enjoy being a “visiting Nurse”, going into the homes of elderly people to clean their house and spend time visiting with them. A few years later they moved to Springfield, MA because of the good Catholic High School there. They spent about 20 years in “the blue house”, right down the street from Friendly’s and Gus and Paul’s Bakery. There Pat taught Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) to teens, truly connecting with and encouraging them. Of which, several stayed in touch with her for years. She was a volunteer with many of Michele’s school activities; helping find costumes for shows, chaperoning, and helping with fundraisers. Once the kids were out of the house, Pat decided to begin her own fragrance modeling business, and grew to have 25+ employees in stores throughout western MA and parts of CT.

Staying in a little cottage on the ocean in Wellfleet on Cape Cod, Massachusetts was a favorite, annual family vacation for many years. The beach was Pat’s favorite place to get away. She said she felt peace there, and closer to God and her dearest friend, her sister Dolores, who passed away too young. Eventually, family vacations moved to Sarasota, Florida where they stayed at Sarasota Sands resort. It was a special vacation spot for many years. They eventually passed it along to Michele and her husband Bill who also enjoyed many vacations there with their own family. Additionally, Pat and Bill enjoyed cruising, and got to visit exciting stops throughout the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and Central and South America.

No matter where Pat and Bill lived, they were vigilant about keeping in touch with family by telephone, sending care packages, and visiting when time and money permitted. When Michele (and Bill) had a baby, Pat would show up for a week, and like Mary Poppins, cook, clean, tend baby and children, and help in any way possible. It was always better when Mom/Grandma came to town. Grandchildren were her pride and joy. Anytime Billy bought a fixer-upper or Michele and Bill moved, they were there for the challenge. From the inspection to the total gut and redo, they had their gloves on, ready to be put to work…often hot, sweaty, hard work. They were team players. As her grandchildren got older, she would spend quality time with them for a week each year, allowing Bill and Michele to get away on a romantic vacation. It was her way of helping strengthen their marriage. If that was not enough, Pat even moved to North Carolina for most of a year from 2007 - 2008 to help Michele with the kids and all their activities, while Bill was deployed to Qatar by the USAF in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Who does that? Our Mom.

Time marched on, and eventually in 1998, Pat and Bill moved back to NY as Bill worked for his brother John’s business, Sharon Manufacturing. Pat would often say through the years…“It’s all going to be in my book”, and it was! As mentioned earlier, she became a published author. While living in Coram, Pat worked diligently on her memoire, “Twelve Kids, One Bathroom, & a Milk Bottle.” This was a great accomplishment for her, and highlights her treasured memories…those that she later could not recall, but would be read to her. They lived there until 2018 when they moved south to The Villages in Florida. This was a beautiful and vibrant 55+ retirement golf community that had every imaginable activity and a rotating calendar of events that constantly changed. Pat’s dementia worsened, which was then diagnosed as Alzheimer’s, and Bill quickly became her care giver. In spite of that set back, Bill managed to keep them both busy with bocce, baseball darts, game nights, bean bag baseball, and attending plays, concerts, and music on the square. He wanted to slow down the inevitable, and they were happy.

Pat has always been very outgoing, friendly, and welcoming by nature. After Bill passed away on 17 September 2025, she moved to Utah so family could surround her. Although, she was increasingly limited in her capacities, in her last 6 months in Utah she did not let a day go by without expressing appreciation for all the little things, and expressing her love continuously, whether she could remember your name or not. Giving and expressing her love to her family, one by one, was her true gift. A legacy that will live on.

Patricia leaves behind her beloved children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Bill Stamm Jr, Grace, and Lillian; Michele (Stamm) Pinter, her husband Bill who was like a son to Pat and Bill, and their children and grandloves: Zachariah (Megan) Pinter, with Navie, William, Amelia, and Lincoln; Cherish (Andrew) Germaine, with Jett, Gwendolyn, Maxwell, and Liberty; Autumn (Quintin) Goettman, with Gordon and Beverly; Justice (Galia) Pinter with the late Angelica, and baby boy Pinter due in August. Surviving siblings: Jerilyn Kline, Lorraine (Erich) Weiss, Eddie (Terri) Upton, Raymond (Diane) Upton, Dennis Upton, Robert (Geralyn) Upton, Thomas (Laurie) Upton, Adrianne Upton…and many, many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held July 25, 2026 to celebrate the lives and love of Patricia and William Stamm at the Chatfield Hollow Inn in Killingworth, CT. Message Michele Pinter for more information.

Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.