Patricia Ricciardello

Houston, Texas - Patricia "Pat" Ricciardello died peacefully on March 8, 2016 with her beloved husband of 64 years, Ricc; her sons Ted (Pam) and Tom (Florence); her daughters Mary (Doug Sandvig), Carol (Bill Perry), Jean (Shane Phelps) and ten grandchildren that adored her by her side. She leaves behind family and many friends that she loved dearly and that loved her dearly. Born and raised in Verdigre, Nebraska on August 13, 1931, she and Ricc moved to Patchogue, New York where they raised their family. She was a registered nurse, gourmet cook, an avid reader and expert seamstress. One never knew of these talents as she did them in her humble fashion without fanfare. Pat spent her 34 years of retirement in Vermont. It was her Camelot. She enjoyed taking walks with her friends, bird watching and entertaining the many friends on the Hill. She could identify all the birds and had feeders to welcome them each spring. It is fitting that she will make her final resting place in Vermont. The last 28 years she made her winter home in Houston to be near her children and grandchildren. One of the great moments of her life was when she had an audience with Pope John Paul II. He presented her with rosary beads he had blessed and in greeting her he said "Ah, the mother." She indeed was the Mother and many of her children's and grandchildren's friends considered her their second mother or Grandma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Martha's Kitchen, in care of St. Martha Catholic Church of Kingwood, 4301 Woodbridge Pkwy. Porter TX 77365 Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Saint Theresa Catholic Church, 6622 Haskell Street, Houston, Texas. Burial will be at a later date in Wolcott, Vermont.