Patricia Keane Sparkman of Groton Long Point CT passed peacefully at home on the evening of May 15, 2020 with loving family and friends by her side ...She was 88 years young.
Born on April 24, 1932 daughter of Robert Joseph and Marie Rowan Keane, Pat married her high school sweetheart John (Jack) Cornelius Sparkman, the youngest son of Drake of the yacht design firm Sparkman & Stephens and a partner in the Wall Street law offices of Carter Ledyard & Milburn. She and Jack grew up two doors down on Byron Lane in Larchmont NY & raised their family in Bronxville and Edgemont, NY.
In 1998 they retired to the beautiful community of Groton Long Point CT and continued to follow their wanderlust aboard their Dyer 29 Eclipse , with expansive driving trips across the United States and kayaking in Mumford cove. Before he died Jack encouraged the love of his life Pat to continue to travel and enjoy her life fully ... and from 2008 -2019 Pat made marvelous trips to Alaska & the Northwest Passage, Brazil/Argentina/Chile (including the straights of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego), India, Greece, Croatia,Italy, Paris, London, Ireland and in the US to Charleston SC, Savannah GA, Philadelphia PA, Red Rock Canyon, Yellowstone national park, glacier national Park...we had calls and emails from all over the world
In the GLP community Pat cherished and was cherished by her many friends. She was a passionate supporter of the Mystic Garden Club, The Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra and protection of the local marshlands and environment.
Profoundly significant was Patricia’s contribution as founder of Family Ties of Westchester, the grassroots advocacy group for parents and caregivers of children with behavioral challenges. The Family Ties model has become a national paradigm for mental health transformation.
At functions in her honor she has been compared to Rosa Parks and as “a leader of the quiet forces that change major things” ... in this case the public mental health system.
She is survived by her children, Susan Sparkman-Sperandio, John C. Sparkman & Paul H. Sparkman and three beloved grandchildren Barrett, Noah & Truett Sparkman... and a baby girl on the way in August.
Due to the COVID-19 quarantine a memorial is planned for the spring of 2021. The family is beyond grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and community and the many wonderful cards, flowers, books quilts, videos and love.
In lieu of flowers please donate in her name to:
“Families Ties of Westchester”
Contact information below
http://familytieswestchester.org
Family Ties of Westchester
112 East Post Road, 3rd fl
White Plains, NY 10604
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.