Patricia Carey

1923 - 2017

Patricia Patty Slater Carey passed away September 19, 2017, three days before her 94th birthday, at her cherished home in East Orleans. For 53 years, she was the wife of the late Harry Hill Carey, whom she married during the war years on September 21, 1944, and whom she loved dearly and had known throughout their early childhood. And now her time has come | she has crossed the Bridge, together again with those awaiting her with open arms. She will be profoundly missed by all who love and cherish her, for she is forever a beautiful inspiration. Pattys caring and loving nature, uplifting and infectious spirit will live on within those she leaves behind. Family, friends and children gave her great joy, but among these, family was the greatest love of all: whether at a family dinner, celebration, on a cruise or vacation, the presence of any member of her family brought a smile to her face and a brightness to the room. She lived a blessed and rich life, blessing and enriching those lucky enough to have known her. Patty was the daughter of the late William Bainton Slater and Marguerite Murray Slater, and was the eldest of five siblings: Carolyn Jackson, Virginia Carnright, and Murray Slater | and is survived by her brother William Slater. Patty and Harry are survived by their four children: Susan Carey Lichty and her husband, D. Terence Lichty of Chatham, MA and St. John, USVI; William S. Carey and his wife, Kathryn Green Carey of Cummaquid, MA; Steven H. Carey of Chelmsford, MA; Elisabeth Carey Laughton, and her fiance Robert L. Parks, of Orleans, MA; and her four beloved grandchildren: Robert W. Carey and his wife, Cheryl Ostrander Carey of East Sandwich, MA; Elizabeth M. Carey of Cummaquid, MA; William C. Laughton and his wife Heather Lacey Laughton of Washington, DC; Samuel S. Laughton of Brighton, MA; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Joseph S. Manson, a most important person in her life, her loving and dedicated partner of more than five years. Patty graduated from Lincoln School in Providence, RI and received her BS in Education from Wheelock College (1945), Brookline, MA. Pattys education at Wheelock and her love of children led to her co-founding the Community Pre-School in Sudbury, MA with her dear friend, Barbara Barrett. Patty took on leadership roles in alumnae organizations at Lincoln School and Wheelock College and received several awards for distinguished service. She also was an active volunteer at the Congregational Church in Sudbury, and at the Church of the Holy Spirit and non-profits in Orleans, including Snow Library. Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, also played a very important part in her life: her father, uncle, husband, brother, son, and son-in-law were all Dartmouth graduates, and her eldest child was born there. Harry and Patty were the most elegant and graceful dancers on the floor. Inspired by her mothers musical talent, Pattys family, the Slaters, loved entertainment. They played the piano, and sang and danced to music from the 20s to the 50s. At family gatherings, the music often began after dinner and continued into the wee hours. Patty had a passion for the sea. She walked countless barefoot miles, treasure-seeking along Nauset Beach with her precious, loyal companion, Chadwick the Golden (retriever); she loved to swim, and continued well into her eighties, regularly swimming the length of Crystal Lake in Orleans. She was first mate of several sailboats and, after Harry died, continued on her journey as Captain, Navigator and Helmswoman, extraordinaire, from Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich Port, MA to many points of the compass. She was joined by family to favorite sailing destinations including Nantucket, Edgartown, Hadleys Harbor, Cuttyhunk, Block Island, Newport, and Essex, CT; she also sailed in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Seas. These were joyous, memorable years. Patty had a natural ability to tell a good story with wit and wisdom. Drawing from an accumulation of lifes experiences, she authored and self-published two books: Choices, a history of her life and family, and Footprints in the Sand, a collection of her poems. A memorial service celebrating Pattys life will be held at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Orleans on October 9, 2017 at 1:00 PM, followed by a reception at Eastward Ho Country Club, Chatham, to which all are invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pattys memory to Church of the Holy Spirit. For online condolences, please visit http://www.nickersonfunerals.com.