In Loving Memory of Patricia Louise (Downey) Garry

Pat passed away peacefully at Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center, in Providence, RI, on May 9, 2024, 90 years of age.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard T.  Downey and Blanche Thomas, and her former spouse, Courtney J. Garry.  She was born  in Salem, Massachusetts.

Pat grew up in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  Her favorite childhood home was  located in Conimicut, RI, right on Narragansett Bay.  Pat attended the Conimicut Grammar School on West Shore Road.   Pat graduated from St. Xavier Academy (Class  of 1951) and went on to the Rhode Island School of Design, having been awarded a RI  state scholarship.   She earned a BFA in Illustration (1955).

 After completing her studies at RISD, Pat went on to pursue a successful career in  advertising and graphic design lasting over forty years.  Pat’s career path took her to  New York City advertising agencies where she worked as an artist, colorist and paste up artist.  She worked as a greeting card designer in Providence. In 1958, Pat and her  husband moved back to NYC where they raised their family. They also lived in Toronto, Ontario for two years.  In 1974,  a job opportunity in New Jersey allowed Pat to shift career modes and become a successful graphic designer in advertising.  Pat retired in  1999 from Weichert Realtors, with the title of Art Director.

After retirement, Pat fulfilled a lifelong dream of living on Cape Cod. She relocated to  South Yarmouth.  As she always did wherever she went,  Pat made many friends and  lasting relationships during her nearly two decades as a Cape Codder. Her grandchildren  have many wonderful memories of visiting Grammy on the Cape.

Pat moved to Laurelmead in Providence in 2019.  Pat was an active member of the Laurelmead community for as long as her health allowed, including participating on the  Art and Dining Committees.  She also developed a very competitive Canasta game.

Throughout her life, Pat touched the hearts of many with her kindness and generosity of  both her time and talents.  She will be remembered by family and friends for her  resilience, independence and spirit of adventure.  Pat was a three time breast cancer survivor.

Pat was an avid traveler. She made several excursions to Europe.  Destinations included  Paris, Vienna and the Greek Islands. She also traveled throughout the United States.

Pat developed a lifelong love for the arts which she expressed in many ways. She was an accomplished painter in multiple mediums.  As recently as December 2023,  her paintings were highlighted in a one woman show at her residence Laurelmead in Providence.  Her paintings have been generously distributed to family and friends.

These works are greatly appreciated by those who can enjoy some of Pat’s art work as their own.

Pat was also a classical music enthusiast.  Blessed with a beautiful voice, Pat lent her  talents to many chorale groups in New Jersey and Massachusetts and thoroughly enjoyed performing with those groups whenever possible.  While traveling with the Monmouth Civic Chorale, Pat performed at the Basilika St. Michael in Mondsee, Austria.  This site was made famous as the church where Maria and Baron Von Trapp were  married, as seen in the movie, The Sound of Music.   Pat performed for many years as a  member of the prestigious Chatham Chorale on Cape Cod, with whom she sang with the  Cape Cod Symphony.   In her seventies, while already an accomplished piano player, Pat  learned the clarinet and performed publicly with the New Horizons Band.

 Pat supported local community endeavors while on the Cape. She lent her talents to the  nascent Cape Cod Cultural Center and Yarmouth Food Pantry.  In the early 2000’s Pat  designed a logo for the inaugural season of the Cultural Center of Cape Cod that is still  used today.

 Pat is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law: Eileen Garry Fetten and Tom Nuara of  Jersey City, NJ, and Marianne Garry Walsh and Bob Walsh, of Rumford, RI.  She is also  survived by her five grandchildren and their spouses: Sydney, Luke and Brody Fetten, and  Kaitlin Walsh (Jeremy Harbeck) and Erin Walsh (Kip Pinkos).  Pat also survived by her  sister, Pauline Goldman; niece, Jean Shepard, and nephew, Brian Goldman.

Per Pat’s wishes, memorial services will be private.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Hope Health, especially Maria, for the care  provided to Pat at her home and while in-patient.  Their help during the last months of  Pat’s time with us was  invaluable.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:  HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center, 1085 N.Main Street, Providence, RI 02904 or the  Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA 02664.  

The family would also like to thank these special caregivers: Linda, Stacey and Tatiana.

Rest in peace Mom/Pat/Grammy. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.