Patricia Alice Cook Harrison

Patricia Alice Cook Harrison
July 30, 1943 – August 2, 2025
Patricia ("Patti") Alice Cook Harrison, devoted wife, mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully at her Fairfield home on Aug. 2, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y. on July 30, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Alice Theresa (Cash) and Charles Francis Cook. Patti grew up in Mount Vernon and Eastchester, N.Y., graduated from Academy of the Resurrection High School in Rye,N.Y., and received her radiologic technologist certification from St. Mary's Hospital in Westchester County.
Her career in the medical profession included many years as an X-ray technician in Boston, New York and Connecticut. A lifelong student, Patti earned her coding certification from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and worked in billing and medical records at Bridgeport and Bristol hospitals. She also served as a paraprofessional at Fairfield Woods Middle School for more than a decade.
A parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield for nearly 20 years, earlier Patti was a longtime parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Fairfield, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister. A woman of deep faith, she was a member of several prayer groups and developed many deep friendships with fellow members.
Much of her life was spent in devotion to service of others, a quality she instilled in each of her three daughters. She was an active leader in Emmaus retreats through the Diocese of Bridgeport, and spent many years volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, Thomas Merton House, Operation Hope and other local service organizations. As a working mother, she was also involved in her children's Girl Scout troops, Parent- Teacher Associations and other school committees.
Patti enjoyed travel with her family, and took many trips to Europe, including multiple visits to Ireland, England and France. In 2016, she and her husband, Don Harrison, walked tens of miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. Later that summer, Don and Patti drove across country to Seattle to deliver daughter Alexis' car during her move. Patti loved the beach and spent many summers in Cape Cod with her family. A proud Irish-American, Patti often studied her Irish roots and was a longtime member of the Gaelic American Club. During the global pandemic, she discovered a hidden talent for painting, producing many beach and holiday landscapes, as well as paintings of her children and grandchildren.
In addition to her husband of more than 50 years, she is survived by three daughters, Rachel Anderson, Erin Harrison French and Alexis Harrison; two sons-in-law, Jeffrey Anderson and Gregory French; and three grandchildren, Lauren French, and Luke and Patrick Anderson, all of Fairfield.
She is also survived by two brothers, C. Donald Cook (Deborah) of Estero, Fla., and Kevin F. Cook of Portland, Ore.; nieces Dr. Courtney Cook Stephenson Marshall (Jonathan) of Charlotte, N.C., and Dr. Ariel Cook Touchet (Seth) of Portland, Ore.; nephew Matthew Cook (Colony) of Portland, Ore.; and niece-in-law Camilla Cook of Fairfield.
She was predeceased by her beloved nephew, Christopher Cook.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield Center. A Celebration of Life and Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 149 South Pine Creek Road, Fairfield. Burial will be private at Oak Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Villa Maria School, 161 Sky Meadow Drive, Stamford, CT 06903, or www.villamariaschool.org/ways-to-give
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Tracey Davis, as well as Visiting Angels for their exceptional loving care. The family also extends their gratitude to the staff of the Progressive Care Unit, Respiratory Therapy, and the 10th floor at Bridgeport Hospital.