Obituaries

Obituary: Patricia S. Hiss, 74

She loved traveling, reading, music, and finding a sense of wonder in everything from a child on the Ocean City boardwalk to the colors of the clouds in a Rhode Island sunset.

Patricia S. Hiss, 74, of North Kingstown, went Home the night of Saturday, September 14, sent off by loving family and friends. 

Born in Renovo, Pa., and graduating from St. Joseph High School, Patricia built a life of many vocations, locations, and loves. In San Francisco, Calif., she worked as an executive secretary for the Emporium department store. In Philadelphia, Pa., she met her future husband Stephen. In Ocean City, N.J., she worked as a librarian at the Ocean City Free Public Library, graduated from Stockton College, and welcomed a first daughter, Kimberly. In Chicago, Ill., she welcomed a second daughter, Laura.

In Macungie, Pa., while supporting the career and talents of her husband and children, she joined the Allentown branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), served as branch president from 1992 – 1994, received the organization’s Outstanding Woman Award, and created an AAUW satellite branch for students at Cedar Crest College in 1996.

After moving to North Kingstown, she volunteered as a counselor with the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County and with the local chapter of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA), as well as sang soprano with the North Kingstown Community Chorus. Along the way she loved traveling, reading, music, and finding a sense of wonder in everything from a child on the Ocean City boardwalk to the colors of the clouds in a Rhode Island sunset.

Patricia is survived by her husband Stephen, of North Kingstown; daughter Kimberly of Peekskill, N.Y., and significant other Daniel; daughter Laura of New York, N.Y., and husband Peter; sisters Kathleen Schubert of Reno, Nev., and Judi Menavich of Snow Hill, Md.; brother Charles Shank of Snow Hill, Md., and several nieces and nephews. Her journey Home reunites her with her father Charles Shank, mother Helen Shank, sister Margaret Shank and brother Bob Shank.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Friday morning at 10 o’clock from St. Augustine’s Roman Catholic Church of St. Damien Parish, 13th Street at Wesley Avenue, Ocean City, N.J. where friends may call from nine until 9:45 a.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to CASA (www.casaforchildren.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org)

For condolences to the family, please visit www.godfreyfuneralhome.com.


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