Patricia A. Pardi

    Portland -  Patricia (Patty) Colucci Pardi passed away peacefully on May 8, 2023. She was predeceased by her husband John Pardi, her brothers Thomas Colucci, Anthony Colucci, Richard Colucci and brother in law Calvin Simpson. She is survived by her daughters Jeanine  (Pardi) West and husband Rick West, Jennifer Pardi- McCarthy and John Mcarthy, Jessica (Pardi) Sprague and husband Austin Sprague, Tricia (Pardi) Foley and husband Joseph Foley of Portland, sisters Christina “Tina” (Colucci) Simpson and Loretta (Colucci) Burley and husband John Burley of Portland. Patty is also survived by sister in laws Marie Pardi, Martha Colucci,Theresa Colucci, and Justina Eraso of Florida, brother in law Guido Pardi and wife Sandra (Whitmore) Pardi of Falmouth. Patty is also survived by many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grand-children and cousins.

     Patty was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary (Mancini) Colucci. She was born 7/10/1945, grew up in the “Little Italy” part of Portland and was the youngest of six children. She learned the art of cooking from her mother Mary and grandmother Camilla Dibiase Mancini of Roccamorice Italy.  Her mother, fluent in Italian, would help her neighbors translate letters from English to Italian and visa versa. Patty learned her selflessness from her mother and put everyone else’s needs before her own. Patty attended Portland schools and graduated from Portland High School in 1963. Anyone that knows her, knows her greatest accomplishment was her family and marrying the love of her life, John (“Johnny”) Pardi on May 2nd, 1964 at St Peter’s Church. On their wedding day, Patty wore a floor length gown of lace and tulle and her veil was held by a queen’s crown of seed pearls and lace. She carried a white bouquet with an orchid at the center. After they wed, Patty and Johnny moved into the Anderson Air Force base in Guam where John was stationed. 

     Together Johnny and Patty settled into their first home on Revere street and shortly thereafter, their forever home on Pinecrest Rd. in Portland.  They raised the four of us girls in a traditional “old school” Italian home where Patty cooked and served dinner for all of us at 5 o’clock when Johnny returned home from work. Dinner was always home-made and often consisted of her famous sauce, meatballs and Italian bread. Their house was the center for all family gatherings including weekly coffee around the kitchen table and holiday parties.  They didn’t stroll too far from home, as that’s where they were the happiest.  When they weren’t at their own home, they could be found two houses down at Dolly (Virginia) and Sam’s (Colucci) where the aromatic scents of coffee and home-made sauce continued. In the summer, they frequented Patty’s sister Tina’s camp on Crystal Lake. The whole family would squish into the station wagon and Patty would pack the coolers full of brown bagged lunches for everyone. On the way home, Johnny would hang all the girl’s bathing suits on the outside antenna of the station wagon to whip and flip dry so they were ready for the next day. 

     Patty worked at Shaw’s grocery and from home as a transcriptionist. She was the matriarch of her family and cared for everyone including her own mother when she fell ill to Parkinson’s disease. Her niece Kitty recalls, “ Auntie Patty was so special to me; she brought me everywhere as a child, even though she had four children of her own. When I had all my babies, I’d call Auntie Patty for everything; childhood sickness, illnesses, she knew it all. Every family function was at Auntie Patty and Uncle Johnny’s. She did all the cooking, organizing and you felt welcome no matter how many people were already there. I always thought as a little girl, I wanted a house like this with a lot of children… and that’s what I got.”   

     Johnny and Patty’s love was very special. When Johnny was stationed in Guam the pair wrote countless love letters back and forth longing for the day they could be together again. When Patty fell ill from dementia John took care of her until he no longer could as he was struggling with his own health. He passed away March 8, 2021. Prior to his passing, he wrote. “ The day I met you was the best day of my life. The first time I kissed you, I knew you would be my wife. Whenever I hold you tight I want it to last forever and ever. I will never let you go. I will hold you tight day and night. My love, I don’t know how I lived without you. You made the best days of my life a real joy. I want to be with you again to make my whole life whole. Put your arms around me and take my heart and soul.” 

Johnny and Patty’s love story will continue. It is no coincidence that Patty passed away at exactly 5:00pm; her Johnny was patiently waiting for her to return to him for supper time. 

     Our family would like to express our sincere gratitude to the staff of The Barron Center and Compassus Hospice. We are grateful for their excellent and compassionate care.

     A graveside service will be held for Patty on Monday 5/15/23 at 10:00 am Old Calvary 1461 Broadway street in South Portland. Use the entrance across the street from dairy queen. Take the first left when you enter the cemetery; you will see a maroon tent.  All are welcome to join. Immediately following, there will be a gathering at the Elks lodge 1945 Congress Street Portland, Maine. 

In lieu of flowers, a donation could be made to “The Resident Benefit Fund in Memory of Patricia Pardi” sent to the Barron Center at 1145 Brighton Avenue Portland, Maine 04102. This fund assists residents with extra care such as haircuts, clothing and life-enriching activities and entertainment.

You may offer your condolences and share your memories at www.athutchins.com     

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Patricia A. Pardi, please visit our floral store.