Patricia (Patty) Ann Kneale

Patricia Ann (Patty) Kneale, 73, passed away on December 21, 2012 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter, Wilmington, NC with her family at her side.

Patty was born in Hornell, NY on February 2, 1939. She was the daughter of Eugene Robert and Catherine Ann Smith who preceded her in death.

Patty was salutatorian of the Hornell High School class of ‘57. She graduated with a BSN from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY earning honors as the 1961 New York State Outstanding Student Nurse. Following graduation, Patty worked in the nursery at Syracuse Memorial Hospital where she also served as clinical nursing instructor. After raising her five children she returned to work as nurse at Onondaga Central High School, where she worked happily for 25 years until retirement. Patty also worked several summers with special children for BOCES of NY.

Patty was a gentle, loving, kind woman of deep faith. She served Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Syracuse, as trustee, choir member, lector, eucharistic minister, and led her parish as they served local families in need. She was a member of the Syracuse Diocese Human Development Board. Following their retirement to Wilmington, NC, Patty and her husband, Bob, became active choir members at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Patty also enjoyed knitting hats for newborns at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Robert (Bob) Kneale; children, Timothy Kneale (Mary) of Florence, KY, Elizabeth Kneale of Barboursville, VA, Amy Kneale of DeWitt, NY, David Kneale (Mai) of Stuttgart, Germany, Megan Cebina (Joe) of Raleigh, NC; eleven grandchildren, Riley, Henry, and Lily Kneale; Luke Berry; Ashley, Cameron, and Emma Buck; Ava and Scarlet Kneale; Anthony and Alec Cebina. Also surviving are her sister, Judy Tiede, and her brother Michael Smith (Terry).

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 6650 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412. A memorial service will be held in Syracuse in the spring. Inurnment will be at White Haven Memorial Park, Pittsford, NY at the convenience of the family.

The family will receive friends at 9 AM prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation, 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington, NC, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Nedrow, NY, or the Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC.

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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S, 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099