Patricia Eleanor Ciampi

Patricia Eleanor (Karnes) Ciampi
PORTLAND -- Patricia Eleanor (Karnes) Ciampi, of Portland, died on Thursday at Gosnell House in Scarborough, after a brief stay. Patricia battled amylloidosis for more than three years at home.
Patricia was born in Woodstock, New Brunswick on Nov. 12, 1940, and moved to Portland to attend Mercy Hospital School of Nursing where she received her RN. This year marks the 50th anniversary of her graduation. She became a naturalized United States citizen in 1995.
Patricia spent her life providing exceptional care and attention to the people around her. She worked as a nurse in Portland and around the country until she married her husband of 45 years, Dr. Louis A. Ciampi on Aug. 28, 1965. They raised six children in their Stevens Avenue home, which also served as the office for Dr. Ciampi's practice and a gathering place for dozens of family and friends each week. Patricia lovingly fed, entertained, and provided a sympathetic ear to visitors at her kitchen table.
A daughter of Irish and Scottish bakers and nurses, she was 'adopted' by her Italian in-laws to the point where she was the one to call when the biscotti didn't rise. She made an art of her domestic duties, and she was often called upon to bake wedding cakes, knit hats, re-upholster furniture, and teach lessons in using knitting machines. She went back to the workplace at the University of Southern Maine Health Office. She retired in 2005, after 20 years of her second career.
In her quiet way, Patricia was a strong advocate for those she loved and a friendly face for those who felt outside or alone. She was a woman of strong faith, and was a daily communicant for much of her life at St. Peter's Catholic Church. She loved babies, which came in handy considering her fourteen grandchildren.
Patricia is survived by her husband, Louis A. Ciampi, MD of Portland; her children, Dr. Michael and Kara Ciampi, Marianna Ciampi, Joanna and Andrew Bulger, Carla and John Thurston, Dr. Anthony and Kirby Ciampi, and Gilda and
Patricia Eleanor (Karnes) Ciampi
Michael Bryand, all of whom live and work in the Greater Portland area. Her grandchildren, Jacob, Alex, Kerry, Anthony, Mia, Evelyn, Chiara, Patsy, Arianna, Liam, Louis, Vivian, Jonah, and Allan continued to make her smile on a daily basis. She also leaves her mother, Glenna Karnes of Woodstock, New Brunswick; and her dear sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Edward Asali of Portland; as well as her sisters-in-law, Nancy White of Portland, Anna Johnson of Windham and Michelina and David Elderidge of Virginia; and many nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by her brother Peter in 1967; her father Alla, in 1990; as well as many cherished family members.
Visiting hours will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Monday, May 30, at Independent Death Care of Maine, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Prayers will be recited at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 31, at the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church, 72 Federal St., Portland. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland. To offer words of condolence to the family, sign a guest book and share memories, go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com.
Thank you to the many people who have shown their love and prayed for Patricia in her illness. Special thanks to Helen Malone, Dr. Lisa Thomas, Dr. Beth Pierce, members of the St. Peter's Parish community, and Southern Maine Hospice. Thank you as well to Jim Ciampi for his assistance in making arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, as a tribute to this empathic, skillful, and graceful woman, please consider providing
a special meal for another either by your own hand or a donation to:
St. Vincent De Paul Soup Kitchen 307 Congress St.
Portland, Maine 04101
or to Gosnell Memorial
Hospice House
Scarborough, Maine 04074