Obituary of Barbara A. Patinka

Barbara Ann Patinka, 85, beloved mother, grandma, and great-grandma, passed away on December 25, 2022 at her son’s home in Plattsburgh, New York. Barbara was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to Nora and Gregory Ashe on August 13th, 1937. She married the love of her life; Robert Patinka, on July 24, 1959 in Springfield, Massachusetts. They lived in several states before finally settling in Plattsburgh, New York where they celebrated 50 years of marriage before his passing. Barbara was full of wit and had a great sense of humor. She was stubborn and sometimes cursed a lot, but had a heart of gold. She took pleasure in a good cup of coffee and if it wasn’t good, you’d be sure to hear about it. She loved snazzy cars and appreciated her 1985 Purple Monte Carlo that her son lovingly restored for her. Listening to Billy Ocean and Hip Hop music, Barbara would drive that car around getting double takes wherever she went. Starting out as a homemaker and after her children were older, Barbara decided to join the workforce and held many diverse positions such as being a nurse’s aide, plastic manufacturing operator, assisting at the 1980’s Winter Olympics, and being a volunteer for 15 years at the local blood bank, Barbara enjoyed greeting donors, sending out correspondence and making the workplace a fun environment. She was celebrated for her time and commitment to the organization. Her last role and what brought her the most happiness was being the best grandma ever. She loved her annual trips to Maine to sit by the ocean and watch the waves. Outgoing and chatty she would strike up a conversation with anyone. She was a passionate bird watcher and was very proud of her Irish heritage and ‘natural’ red hair. Barbara never turned down a bag of potato chips even though she knew they were bad for her. Barbara is survived by her son, Robert Patinka and wife Christina, daughter, Debra Patinka, her three bonus daughters, Francesca Ratliff, Amy Ladue and Ashley Brown and her two cats Maisy and Daisy. Grandchildren, Candice Patinka and partner Matthew Chutjian, Robert C. Patinka and wife Cynthia, Brittany Saunders and husband Shannon, and great-grandchildren, Lydia, Nolan and Loryn. She was predeceased by her husband Robert, son Patrick “Timmy”, daughter-in-law Beverly, grandson, Michael, and Molly, her cherished Chihuahua. Barbara was always singing crazy songs, one of them with a verse of: “The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out, the worms play pinocle on your snout.” And because of that, we honor her request to be cremated immediately after her passing. Donations can be made in her name to: Adirondack Humane Society Shelter, 134 Idaho Ave., Plattsburgh, NY, 12903. Calling hours will be held Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 1 to 3 pm at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A funeral service will follow at 3 pm in the Hamilton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the spring in the Peasleeville Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru, 643-9055.