Nancy Ruth Patterson

Nancy Patterson passed peacefully from this life on November 4, 2021 at the age of 78. Nancy was raised in the town of Sea Cliff on Long Island. She moved to Huntington to raise her family and later retired in Westbury, NY. Nancy is survived by her two children and their spouses, Kerry Neira (Rodrigo Neira) and Darren Patterson (Joanne Patterson) as well as by her five beloved grandchildren who were her greatest treasures; Brianne Neira, Isabella Neira, Ryan Patterson, Aidan Patterson and Sarah Patterson. She is also survived by her sister, Sandy May and was predeceased in death by her brother, Douglas Andrews. She will be missed by her nieces, nephews and close friends. Nancy's greatest joy was being a grandmother. There was nothing that made her happier than spending time with her family. She arranged vacations together, played countless board games, prepared holiday meals and attended every special event possible. Birthdays were her specialty. She loved to surprise her grandchildren with the perfect gift which spoiled them as only a grandma can do. Nancy was a devoted mother to Kerry and Darren and mother-in-law to Rodrigo and Joanne. She taught them the importance of family, perseverance, honesty and kindness. Nancy held high standards and would be described as a "tough mom" but those who knew her understood her desire to give her children the very best opportunities in life and recognized that she truly had a heart of gold. She rejoiced in her children's accomplishments and in their families. In her final days she shared, "I am so proud of all of you. I have been so blessed with this family." Nancy took great pride in her career as a registered nurse and nursing administrator. She spent the bulk of her career working at North Shore Manhasset Hospital where she touched countless lives. She was a highly respected and beloved supervisor and co-worker. A reporter who was a patient on her floor was so impressed by her dedication and skills that he wrote a column about her entitled, "In Medicine, The Excellent Should Get a Bonus" He compared her to an army combat leader and chief executive officer of a Fortune 500 company stating, "Girls (and boys too, for nurses like astronauts are now unisex) could harbor no higher fantasy than filling the shoes of America's Nancy Pattersons." Nancy lived a full life with opportunities to engage in the activities she enjoyed most including spending time with close friends, traveling, going to the theater and reading. She left behind the following quote, "Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there. I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there. I did not die." The online tribute site is available for family and friends to share their memories. We would love to hear from you, see photographs you upload and reconnect with those for whom Nancy was special. Please share your memories on the Tribute Wall section.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations: FDNY FF Michael Kiefer Fund 714 Pine Street Franklin Square, NY 11010 Alzheimer's Association www.alz.org
All services are private.