Patricia Ann Hart
SARATOGA SPRINGS — Patricia Ann Hart (Pat), 84, passed away peacefully at Wesley Health Care Center on January 21, 2021 with her loving family by her side. Family and friends shared their love and memories with Pat by speakerphone in her last moments. The words shared on those calls were beautiful and powerful.
Pat was born May 21, 1935, in Glens Falls and was an only child to parents John “Jack” Conway and Lillian McDonald Conway. Her father, Jack Conway, tragically drowned when Pat was 10 months old. Her mother later remarried John “Jack” Kearney, who lovingly adopted her. When Pat was 5 yrs. old, her mother died of a stroke while she was home from school for lunch. She was raised by her adoptive father, Jack Kearney, and spent much of her time with her treasured cousins, Jane Kearney DeBerry, Ann Kearney Williams, and John Kearney. Pat was a graduate of the Academy of the Holy Names and Mildred Elly Secretarial School.
She married Lawrence J. Hart (Larry) on June 15, 1957. The couple met at a family member’s home in Saratoga Springs as Larry was mowing the lawn. He repeatedly told his Aunt Francis, “I’ve just gotta have that girl.” Settling in Saratoga Springs, they went on to build their family. Following the loss of their stillborn first child, they were blessed to have three children. In February 1963, Larry, age 32, died suddenly of a heart attack while shoveling the driveway leaving behind his beloved children ages 3 yrs., 17 mos., and Pat was pregnant with their youngest, born 7 months after his death. Pat never remarried. She was an extraordinary woman whose strength and faith carried her through. Never complaining, she dedicated her life to her family.
The Varley-Hart families were a tremendous help after Larry’s death. Pat spent all her years extremely grateful for all their love and support.
Pat worked briefly at Skidmore College and then began an over 30-year career as an executive assistant and payroll clerk at Saratoga Raceway. She retired in 2008.
Pat was a fiercely devoted mother to her children, never missing a single moment of an important event in their lives. Pat worked full-time, put three children through Catholic school, and with pride watched them all graduate from college.
Pat was affectionately called Gammer by her grandchildren, and the name stuck. Her devotion to family continued with them. She babysat, attended every sporting event, dance recital, and school activity. Being with her grandchildren was a favorite past-time and her grandchildren adored her.
A devoted member of St. Clement’s Church, she rarely missed a 4 p.m. Saturday mass. She arrived at least one hour early, sat in her favorite pew and waited for her Church friends to join her. She valued their friendship and all the laughter they shared.
Pat is survived by her three children, Colleen Carlson (Skip), John Hart (Pam), and Lawrence Hart (Nancy), her grandchildren Zachary, Tucker & Quinn Carlson (Colleen), Brian Hart (John) and Ryan and AJ Hart (Larry). She is predeceased by her husband Lawrence, her birth father, Jack Conway, her mother, Lillian Kearney, and her adoptive father, Jack Kearney.
The family would like to thank The Wesley Community for the wonderful care Pat received from the staff on 3 Hathorn, especially by Nurse Vern Reed, who was one of her favorites, Nurse Kristen, who gave us thorough updates each morning, and Brittany, Pat’s Nurse Practitioner, who loved her feistiness.
A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, January 29, 2021, at St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Avenue, Saratoga Springs. There will be no calling hours. The mass will start with the eulogy. The services will be live-streamed. Please go to Pat’s obituary on the William J. Burke & Sons website for information on how to access the live-stream or directly to the “St. Clement’s Church; Saratoga Springs, NY” Facebook page.
The family requests that anyone attending in-person, live stream, or keeping her in their thoughts wear a touch of pink in Patricia’s honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to one of the following charities in Pat’s name: The Wesley Foundation: 131 Lawrence Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online donations to the General Fund to offset expenses incurred by Covid-19 can be made at www.thewesleycommunity.org/wesley-foundation/donate/donate-now or The Saratoga Hospital Foundation: 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Online donations to the COVID–19 Response Fund: saratogahospital.z2systems.com/np/clients/saratogahospital/donation.jsp
Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway (518-584-5373).
Online remembrances may be made at burkefuneralhome.com
