Patricia Ann Nelligan

Patricia Ann Nelligan 1937 - 2022 Warwick, RI Patricia Ann "Pat" (Flaherty) Nelligan, 85, passed peacefully on December 4, 2022 in Warwick, Rhode Island. Born in Ware, MA on September 3, 1937 to the late Eugene and Gladys (Holt) Flaherty she was raised in Three Rivers where she graduated from Palmer High School, went on to attend Our Lady of the Elms College graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and obtained a Masters of Arts in American History at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Pat led a professional life of dedicated service, employed for several years in the Palmer and Wilbraham school systems as a teacher and serving as a Director of a non-profit fuel assistance program in Springfield, MA. She raised her family in Wilbraham, MA, later resided in Springfield, and following her retirement, relocated to Cranston, Rhode Island in order to be in the consistent presence of her grandchildren. Pat was a strong and selfless soul who always placed others before her. She provided much guidance and support to her family and friends and was the devoted caretaker of her dear Aunt Florence. She was a guiding light in the lives of her grandchildren and regularly accompanied them to their school and sporting events and weekly mass. Always remaining an educator at heart, she spent countless occasions both teaching and listening to them. Pat had a great love for the ocean and cherished vacationing on Cape Cod with her family. She enjoyed hosting and celebrating holidays, especially Christmas, and created indelible memories with her special touches. She was a great conversationalist, passionate reader, enjoyed documentaries, movies, and politics and was an avid fan of football and tennis. Pat is survived by her daughters Amanda Nelligan (John Tomko), Abbe Nelligan ( Donald Denomme), and Ellen Nelligan (Donald Wiseman), daughter-in-law Heiyun Nelligan, grandchildren Blaize Nelligan, Max and Elizabeth Denomme, step-granddaughter Tara Denomme and her three children, her step-sister Patricia Cole, nephew Sean Flaherty, and niece Sheila Slate. She was predeceased by her son John Nelligan and her twin brother Thomas Flaherty. A Mass of Christian burial will be private. Memorial contributions in Patricia's name may be made to American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Dr., Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, https://www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give.