Patricia D. Whiteside (Nee Duryee), aged 97, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2025, in her community in Dedham, MA. Beloved wife of the late Robert E. Four and Millard F. Whiteside. Devoted mother of Nancy D. Four of Waltham, and Robert M. Four and his late husband Anthony “Tony” Fusco of West Roxbury. Stepmother of Scott Whiteside of Piedmont, CA, and the late Bruce and William Whiteside. Dear sister of the late Ethel Kaese and Edward Duryee.
She was born on August 9, 1927, in Yulan, New York to Loretta and Albertus Duryee. She was the youngest of three children and grew up in the shadow of the Catskill Mountains and green beauty of the Delaware River Valley. As a young child and an in her adulthood she was known for her quick wit and beautiful singing voice, and from the age of three, with her mother smiling with pride, could be heard warbling “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” at the Yulan Casino on “Irish Night”. After her childhood education, in her early adult years she received what she called her real education, working at the prestigious Whitehall Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, a chance to experience life outside of her small hometown of Yulan.
Upon her return she met Bob Four and his brothers while horseback riding with her girlfriend Norma. It was love at first sight and they married in the fall of 1950 and lived in Floral Park, Long Island, New York, where he worked as head chef in his family’s restaurant, The Four Brother’s Triangle Hofbrau in Richmond Hill. They had two children in a home full of love until his untimely dead 10 years later.
As a young widow she supported herself and her children, who she raised, provided for, sacrificed for, and importantly saw to their education so that they could thrive in a world that she knew was not always fair, and sometimes crushing. But with her strength she saw their lives through to better times. After Bob’s death she moved from Long Island back to her family in Yulan, working for her sister Ethel and her husband Albert at their summer resort Lakeview Farm, and later for the Town of Highland in the home office.
It was there in the winter of 1972 she met Millard Whiteside, an architect, and found a second chance for love. They shared 35 wonderful years together.
They first lived together in Highland Lake, New York, in the home that he built and named “Notre Nid Caché” - “Our Hidden Nest”. During those years she and Millard took in her parents, caring for them when they could no longer take care of themselves, until they passed. She did the same for Millard’s parents till they crossed over. She always led with love, always caring selflessly for her family. She did the same for her ailing sister Ethel in her last years. Dear Ethel, who lovingly took care of Pat in her childhood, more like a second mother rather than just the older sister. What goes around comes around.
They moved to Wildwood, Florida, where Millard plied his craft, and where they could both pursue their love of golf year-round. Pat and Millard, looking to return to New England, moved to Newbury, NH, where after 20 years he passed away in August of 2005. Together they had a full life of companionship, love, adventure, travel, and a love of home and hearth -- which they lit every winter night.
Upon his death she moved once again to West Yarmouth on the Cape and enjoyed four year of Cape life until retiring to Fox Hill Village in Westwood, and finally to Charter Senior Living, where she passed.
Again, she always led with love. And although the last few years of her life started to take its toll, this proud, smart, talented woman lived into her 97th year. And of her we can say, she lived life to its fullest, with passion, integrity and grace. And yes, Love.
Visiting Hours in the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St., West Roxbury on Saturday, May 10th from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. Followed by a Funeral Service at 6:00pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Patricia's name may be sent to GLBTQ Legal Advocates and Defenders, GLAD Law, 18 Tremont St., Suite 950, Boston, MA 02108.