Jan. 25, 1912 - July 21, 2009

ELKHART -- Patricia R. "Pat" Garofalo, 97, of Elkhart, formerly of Chester, N.Y., passed away on Tuesday, July 21, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. at Elkhart General Hospital.

She was born on Jan. 25, 1912, in New York, N.Y., to Michael and Teresa (Trotta) Pellegrino. On April 26, 1936, she married Joseph J. Garofalo in New York. He died on June 26, 2002.

Surviving is her daughter, Michalyn "Mickie" (Ned) Chilcote of Elkhart; her five grandchildren, Audrey (George) Garofalo-Reeder, Yvonne Garofalo, Frank Garofalo, Raymond (Melissa) Chilcote and Donna (Samuel) Chilcote-Peachey; and six great-grandchildren, Samantha Reeder, Bryonna and Ciarrah Garofalo, Matthew and Addison Chilcote and Sara Peachey. A godchild, JoAnn (Alvin) Clark, and several nieces, nephews and cousins survive as well.

Patricia was preceded in death by her son, Joseph L. Garofalo; two brothers, Fortunato "Freddie" Pellegrino, who died in World War II, and Carmine Anthony Pellegrino; and a sister, Frances Carosella.

Patricia or "Pat" as she was known to her family and friends, was a homemaker. She formerly worked for Catholic Charities in New York for many years. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Edwardsburg, Mich. Pat loved to cook and sew, and for many years she sewed vestments for the priest as a member of the Mother Butler Mission Guild.

Please join with her family and friends on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, as we celebrate her life with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, located at 24832 U.S. Highway 12, Edwardsburg, where calling will be held for one hour prior to the Mass at the church. The Rev. Joseph McCormick will officiate. Additional arrangements are under the care of Lippincott Funeral Home, Chester, NY. Burial will be in Warwick (N.Y.) Cemetery.

Billings Funeral Home, Elkhart, is in charge of local arrangements where condolences may be sent to the family at www.billingsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the charity of your choice.