Patricia M. Craig

It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Patricia Marie Craig of Durham, New Hampshire. Patricia was with family when she passed peacefully on December 28, 2024, after a long illness.
Patricia (Lynch) Craig was born in Buffalo, New York on October 12, 1938, to Thomas H. Lynch Jr. and Frieda Ann (Rothenberg) Lynch.
Pat lost her mother at an early age, and credited key female family members and mentors for crucial support during her teen and young adult years. Pat's Aunt Marie, in addition to being a source of love and support growing up, was a major influence on Pat's lifelong commitment to completing her education and was a role model for her professional career. A top student in high school, Pat's teachers supported her in gaining a scholarship to Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics, graduating in 1959. While there, she was awarded a work study position that allowed her to stay and complete her studies, as well as a Leadership Award. She went on to earn a Master's Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from Adelphi in 1966.
It was at Adelphi University that Pat met her first husband, Robert E. Craig. They married and had three children, Sean, Anne, and Siobhan. They moved to Durham, New Hampshire in 1966 where Bob started a career at the University of New Hampshire as a Political Science Professor, and Pat began teaching mathematics at Oyster River High School and later at Spaulding High School. In 1986, Pat began a long career with UNH Research Computing, retiring in 2011. She was the first woman to be hired into that group in a technical role and came to be known as "the shark" for her mathematical genius.
Pat married her second husband, Daniel L. Valenza, in 1984. Over the course of their years together, they enjoyed traveling, camping, and Saturday opera in Portsmouth.
Pat was an avid and accomplished quilter and a dedicated member of the Cocheco Quilt Guild, winning multiple first and second place ribbons in their annual quilt shows. She served as Guild President for three years. Pat shared her love of quilting, bringing Dan into the guild, making quilts with and for her grandchildren, encouraging others to take up the craft, and gifting family and friends with her beautiful creations over the years.
Pat had a gift for connecting with others in both formal and informal settings. She was the founding member of the Durham Book Club, played Bridge in the North Hampton Bridge Club, and was an active parishioner, volunteer, and choir member at St. Thomas More parish in Durham, NH. Pat loved to garden, sew, knit, read, play card games, travel, and entertain family and friends. She loved music, and displayed that joy by playing piano, listening to music (especially Frank Sinatra), and dancing. One of Pat's great joys in life was being a grandmother, and time spent with her grandchildren.
Pat is survived by her husband, Daniel, her three children, Sean Craig and wife, Roxann Schroeder, Anne Craig, and Siobhan Craig and husband, David Oliver; her sister, Theresa Lynch; three stepdaughters Karen Valenza, Susan Valenza, and Christine Valenza Shin and husband, Thomas Shin; five grandchildren Meghan Craig, Kaitlin Feaster, Ryan Oliver, Garrett Shin, and Ciara Craig; and niece Elizabeth (Betsy) Craig, and many other nieces and nephews.
Pat is predeceased by her parents, her sister Constance E. Lynch, her uncle Joseph E. Lynch, her beloved aunt, Marie Eleanor (Lynch) Lane and husband Richard J. Lane, and her stepson, James Valenza.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 17 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home in Newmarket, NH. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Church in Durham, NH on Saturday, January 18 at 11 a.m. followed by a reception.
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