Patricia H. Van Vleck

Van Vleck, Patricia H.
POESTENKILL - Patricia H. Van Vleck, passed away in her home on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late William Myers and Thelma (Dyer) Myers and beloved wife of Douglas Van Vleck for 62 plus years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Mark (Sheryl) Van Vleck; and her daughters, Karen S. Van Vleck and Jennifer Wendell (Matt Morin); five grandchildren, Rachel (Michael) Van Williams, Jonathan (Jayde) Van Vleck, Laura (Matt) Schumaker, Jack Wendell (Jadyn) and Kevin Wendell (Madyson); and her two sisters, Sue Ellen (Richard) Kelly and Kathy (Richard) Rocco. She was also predeceased by her two older sisters, Margaret (Allan) Corbett and Rita Landrigan.
Patricia was raised in Troy, where she graduated for St. Patrick's elementary school, and Catholic Central High School. After graduation she had several career paths in mind, but when she married, the number one was being the very best stay-at-home mom there ever was. She did just that, far exceeding any initial expectations she had. Her efforts at home allowed her husband to attend night school, earning a BS degree from Siena and a MBA from R.P.I.
When all of her children were full time students in middle and high school, her next door neighbor convinced her to come to work, on a part time basis, for The Farm Service Association, a federal agency that administered the federal farm program to Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. For a city raised girl who had, over time, seen a cow or two in a way off field, she now had to learn the language of the farmer, which was just as challenging as if she was learning Japanese. She learned that language well and went from a fill in roll to retiring from there 20 years later, knowing as much about farmers a farming as if she had been raised on a farm.
Pat loved family camping at Lake George and Schroon Lake in the Adirondacks. Starting off in a tent over 50 years ago, sleeping on the most uncomfortable cots ever made, and gradually moving up to a well-equipped travel trailer, took a while, but all those experiences along the way were still treasured memories. Rain, and there was plenty of that, an abundance of warm, sunny days that made the memories of the rainy ones disappear, and cool nights that provided comfortable sleeping were all part of her love affair with summer camping.
But even more than camping, she looked forward to family Sunday dinners at her house, with all her children, grandchildren, and over the last couple of years, great-grand children, and anyone else who showed up. She would often complain that Sundays took forever to get here. Thanksgiving was another favorite day on her calendar. Preparing dinner for as many as 25 family members and close friends was something she loved doing, and she was very very good at it.
Shopping with her sisters, Sue and Kathy was something else high on her list of things she looked forward to doing. Each excursion was filled with nonstop conversations, laughter, some Macy's purchases and planning the next trip to return everything that they bought that day. To many people it would seem strange, but to them it made perfect sense. Buying things was ok, but conversations, gossip and laughter was always the primary objective.
She was loved by all that knew her and remembered by everybody as never having a bad word to say about anyone. That was her in a nutshell. She was a good person and will be missed beyond anything that could be put into words.
Relatives and friends may call at the DeGraaf-Bryce Funeral Home Inc., 4392 NY150, West Sand Lake, on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 2 to 5 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow at 5 p.m., with Rev. Joseph O'Brien officiating
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Patricia H. Van Vleck, to the T2T Tunnel To Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, N.Y. 10306. We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view videos or for service directions.