Pat's Funeral Ceremony May 16, 2024

Gwen's phone video

 

Pat and Mike's view

Obituary  Mildred "Pat" Zaskalicky (Clerk)

October 25, 1926 - May 9, 2024

Mildred Patricia Zaskalicky (nee Clerk), age 97, entered peacefully into rest on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Suffield House in Suffield, CT. She was lovingly known to family and friends as Aunt Pat, Patricia and Pat. She was affectionately called “Patsy” and “Babe” by her beloved late husband, Michael (Mike) Francis Zaskalicky, who predeceased her in Jan. 2019.

Pat was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on Oct. 25, 1926 and raised in St. Andrew. She lived with her parents, siblings and extended family while growing up and continued to have close relationships with them throughout their lives.

Her love of music began at an early age. Pat was an award-winning piano player before reaching her teens and a skilled violinist, often playing duets with childhood friends. She also had a passion for photography, developing her photos with sister Doss in a darkroom they built in their backyard on Retirement Cres. in Jamaica. During her later years in the United States, Pat would continue to masterfully play the piano, including duets in the living room with her soulmate, who she married earlier in 1954 in Little Narrows, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Pat attended school in Jamaica, graduating at the Senior Cambridge level under the British system. As a young lady, she embarked on a career as a stenographer.

Always known for her musical and creative gifts, Pat’s artistic genius blossomed further after retirement. Her entire family treasures many paintings and sketches she created with so much talent, passion, and love. Several members of Pat’s family were well known for their abilities across artistic genres. This includes her father, Leslie “Daddy” Clerk, one of Jamaica’s finest sculptors, whose works have been displayed in galleries in Jamaica, in the United States and toured across Europe.

Like her husband, Pat had a terrific sense of humor. In her youth, she kept friends in stitches of laughter. This continued into her adult years, although with a twinkle in her eye and a soft, beautiful smirk, she would often allow her lovingly extroverted husband to be the center of attention.

Pat loved playing golf and traveling. In addition to many trips by plane with friends, she and Mike would often drive to Ontario to visit their Canadian relatives. Those annual journeys were times of love, laughter and magical memories. She also cherished time with her family in the United States and loved them deeply.

Pat enjoyed spending time outdoors. She and Mike adored their beautiful garden full of roses, Mandevillas and other gorgeous flowers, many of which were pink, Pat’s favorite color. Some of Daddy’s sculptures created in Jamaica were also displayed in Pat and Mike’s garden.

A woman of deep faith, Pat was the daughter of the late Leslie and Beryl “Mama” Clerk (Lightbourn). She was predeceased by all her siblings, Dorothy “Doss” Payne (Sydney), Olga “Ollie” Forbes and John Clerk. She is survived by nieces and nephews Nancy Geissler (Jim), John Cook (Gwen), Liz Sansom (Doug), Laura Cook, and Thomas Cook (Mikki) in the U.S., and in Canada by Teri Boone (Bill), Gary Payne, Andre Payne (Jacque), John Forbes; great-nieces and great-nephews Christine Payne (Randy), Jennifer Payne (Joel), Leslie Forbes (Kevin), David Payne (Deanna), Tim Boone, Mike Boone (Deanna), Jeff Payne (Diana), and Christian Forbes (Kim); and five great-great nieces and five great-great nephews. Pat was the loving Godmother to Dorothy Patricia Bates Floro. She will be dearly missed by the friends she loved like family, including Gina (Cicone) Macleay, Lisa and Linda Cicone. Pat was a longtime resident of Lutherville, MD before relocating to Suffield, closer to family, following her husband’s passing.

Pat’s family would like to express sincere gratitude to the staff at Suffield House, who cared for Pat with so much love and compassion in her final years.

May Pat rest in God's peace. She is now reunited with her devoted “Mickey,” tending to God's garden, and will be lovingly remembered whenever family and friends see a beautiful rose.

Pat will be laid to rest alongside her lifelong love, Mike, in the Zaskalicky family plot in Riverside Cemetery, Shelton, CT, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, following her graveside service at 10:30 AM. Condolences can be left for the family at www.riverviewfh.com.

Remarks and Poems read at the Graveside Service by John Cook

"As I decided to a say a few words; to some degree there were reservations as my skillset of public speaking is not that of a professional so bear with me.

When Chistine Payne showed me Aunt Pat’s, Book of Faith by Ralph Spaulding Cushman 1945 and after its review convinced me to speak.

Throughout the book Aunt Pat had tic marks in pencil and fountain pen along with her own thoughts meaningful to her. I chose several passages from the book that impacted upon me, caused reflections of her and I hope to do her justice.

Also, on the back cover there was a handwritten phrase by a person, and after some research I found the entire passage which will be my third reading.  The last one is one I found upon my mother passing and still find it is a sincere salute to those females special to all.

While we are a small gathering here today, it must be recognized that while small in number we are large in heart and spirit.  I feel it is appropriate and important to acknowledge special care givers to Uncle Mike and Aunt Pat as their golden years dimmed.  Vanessa Westra and Kristine (Lynn) Ondis and recently for Pat, and here today is Denise CNA shined.

To Pat’s family in the ‘Great White North’ Gary Payne, John Forbes, Teri Boone, Andre Payne and all her family but with special significance to Christine Payne; a woman so full of warmth and love.

To Pat and Mike’s dear friends Janet and Bob Putnam, their closest traveling companions.

And to the Cicone family; Late Judge Frank and his wife Helen, along with their caring daughters Gina, Lisa, and Linda. All like surrogate daughters but in particular Lisa and Linda for doing so much for Aunt Pat even during Uncle Mike tragic passing even as their own mother was at that time ailing."

I LOVE A TREE…    Ralph Spaulding Cushman

I love a tree, A brave, upstanding tree!
When I am wearied in the strife,
Beaten by storms and bruised by life,
I look up at a tree, and it refreshes me.

If it can keep its head held high,
And look the storms straight in the eye,
Ready to stand, ready to die,
Then by the grace of God can I–
At least with Heaven’s help, I’ll try;
I love a tree, for it refreshes me!

I love a tree!
When it seems dead,
Its leaves all shorn and bared its head,
When winter flings its cold and snow,
It stands there undismayed by woe;
It stands there waiting for the spring–
A tree is such a believing thing.
I love a tree,
For it refreshes me!

ETERNAL SPRING… Ralph Spaulding Cushman

Ye who fear death,

Behold the buds are bursting!

Ye who fear death,

Hark, how the robins sing!

Ye who fear death,

Go hear the crocus crying,

“Eternal Spring!”

Ye who fear death,

See how the trees are greening,

Risen to life before the April sun;

Ye who fear death,

Give way to joy and gladness,

New life’s begun!

So it has been

Since days first had befinning,

Glad propchecies of Resurrection Morn;

Weep not before a closed tomb,

In Joseph’s garden,

Life is reborn!

Margaritae Sorori William Ernest Henley

A late lark twitters from the quiet skies:
And from the west,
Where the sun, his day's work ended,
Lingers as in content,
There falls on the old, gray city
An influence luminous and serene,
A shining peace.

The smoke ascends
In a rosy-and-golden haze. The spires
Shine and are changed. In the valley
Shadows rise. The lark sings on. The sun,
Closing his benediction,
Sinks, and the darkening air
Thrills with a sense of the triumphing night--
Night with her train of stars
And her great gift of sleep.

So be my passing!
My task accomplish'd and the long day done,
My wages taken, and in my heart
Some late lark singing,
Let me be gather'd to the quiet west,
The sundown splendid and serene,
Death.

 

SHE IS GONE… David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone
Or you can smile because she has lived

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
Or you can be full of the love that you shared

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

You can remember her and only that she is gone
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.