Patricia D. Miniter

Patricia D. Miniter
December 27, 2024
Patricia D. Miniter, 89, of Meriden passed away peacefully at home on Friday, December 27, 2024. Born in New Haven on July 22, 1935, to Bertha Louise (Rapson) and Francis James Downing. Pat attended New Haven Public Schools graduating from Hillhouse High in 1953. She received both BS (1957) and MS (1983) in Library Science from Southern Connecticut State. Pat's professional career spanned 40 years with New Haven Public Schools and 31 years with Southern as a librarian. Her love of reading fueled her desire to share books and stories with children as libraries evolved from ink stamped due date cards to digital resource desks. In retirement, Pat spent time "crafting", playing Mah Jong, and traveling with family and friends. Pat enjoyed 50 years of marriage to John F Miniter before his passing in 2009. She mourned her brother-in-law, Peter Abbagnaro; and many dear friends who passed before her. She is survived by her children and their spouses, David and Amy Miniter of Kingwood, TX; Fran and Jim Cameron of Longmeadow, MA; Susan and Darrin DellaVecchia of Wallingford; and Chris and Samantha Miniter of Milford; her grandchildren Courtney Miniter (Dave Salerno), Julie Capozzi (Nicholas), Joseph DellaVecchia, Kaye Miniter; and her great-grandson Thomas Capozzi. Also survived by her dear sister, Frances Abbagnaro, nephew Gary (Alison) and their children. The family wants to extend appreciation to her care team and all those who supported her during her final months.
Her family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Wallingford Funeral Home, 809 N Main St. Ext. Wallingford. A funeral service will then commence in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery, Meriden. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her memory may be sent to Meriden Humane Society, 311 Murdock Ave., Meriden, CT 06450, Smilow Cancer Hospital at www.givetoynnh.org or your local library.