Patricia (Pat) Meston, 82, passed away in the presence of her family on October 22, 2010, of complications following cancer surgery.
In addition to her husband, Forbes, Pat is survived by her daughter Sue Voelker of Oakdale, grandsons Jake and Matt Voelker and son Dave Meston of Stonington. Also surviving are sisters Claire Stanford of Vero Beach, FL and Flat Rock, NC, Kathryn Butterworth of Harwich MA and Betsy Groomes of Highland, NJ. A brother, James H. Nolan predeceased her.
Pat was born in Westfield, NJ on March 24, 1928 to James Munroe Nolan and Myrtle Hendricks Nolan. While growing up in Westfield, she spent summers at the Jersey Shore which she considered unbeatable and installed in her a lifelong love of coastal living. She graduated from Green Mountain College in VT and the Berkeley School in East Orange, NJ. Before marriage she worked as an executive secretary at several investment banks in New York City.
Following marriage to Forbes M. Meston in Westfield on October 20, 1951, Pat and Forbes lived in Erie, PA where Pat enjoyed her favorite job as assistant to the Business Manager of the Erie Philharmonic Orchestra. Both Pat and Forbes enjoyed concerts and the social life associated with the orchestra and its patrons. When Forbes’ work took them to Bound Brook, New Jersey, she was employed by Johnson and Johnson in Raritan, NJ. After another work transfer to Troy, NY Pat and Forbes relocated to New London County in 1960. Following a few years dedicated to starting their family, Pat worked as the secretary of the Noank Baptist Church.
In retirement both Forbes and Pat enjoyed the sun, Indian history and modern day culture of Albuquerque NM, Yuma AZ and Palm Springs, CA during the snowy winters of New England.
Pat was an active community volunteer supporting the Red Cross, Child and Family Services, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Mystic Seaport and other organizations. She enjoyed working with her fellow volunteers and will always be remembered as an important contributor to these organizations. She also enjoyed bringing cheer to sick friends with the gift of soup and coaxing a smile from her grandsons, Jake and Matt, with a tin of cookies. She delighted in puttering around in the garden or reading in the sunroom with the birds coming and going from the feeder.
We are all grateful that she was sharp and witty, able to enjoy her family and friends until the end of her very full life. We will all miss her greatly.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, November 1, at 11:00am at the Noank Baptist Church.
Donations in memory of Pat may be made to the Noank Baptist Church, your favorite charity or to Pat’s favorite charity, the Salvation Army summer camp program for the underprivileged children. The camp program is a family tradition started by her father about 70 years ago.
To share a message of condolence or remembrance with her family, please click the link below.