Patricia “Pat” Ferraioli, 62, of Pattersonville and Saratoga Springs, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2018. Pat graduated Guilderland High School in 1974 and was the first high school student to run for school board. After working at a bank, and the Price Chopper Corporation, she took courses in sign language and speech pathology, switching to science and math education, until she discovered a passion for political science.
She graduated magna cum laude from SUNYA in 1981 and then earned her master’s degree with a cumulative 4. 0. Granted a presidential fellowship, Patricia earned her PhD in political theory, international relations, and American politics.
Pat taught at Schenectady and Adirondack Community Colleges, LeMoyne College, and the University at Albany. A professor at Skidmore College, she was lauded by students and colleagues as a creative and innovative communicator in the classroom. Pat was a Fulbright lecturer at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Pat also worked in the Walt Disney Company in Glendale, CA, with Disney Imagineers in the electrical and camera department. She received film credit in “The Rescuers Down Under”. Pat served as a mediator and a trainer in conflict resolution, worked as an advocate for victims of domestic violence, and for the equality of all peoples.
She did extensive lecturing as a result of her research into American Indian policies. Pat enjoyed Tai Chi, hiking, camping, travel, photography, cooking, and baking creative birthday cakes for her nieces and nephews. She lived frugally, gave of herself generously, and brought joy, laughter, and encouragement to those around her.
She is predeceased by her parents, Richard and Margaret Anne Quinn Ferraioli as well as her brothers, Peter and Robert Ferraioli. She is survived by her siblings: Antonio (Kathy Lien), Joanne (Bob Wagner), James, Barbara, Timothy, Daniel, and Martha; she is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Angela (Rick Wezowicz), Peter (Laura Tortoricci), Jennifer (Patrick Finazzo), Daniel (Rebecca Verhayden), Katie, Richard (Marissa Langenthal); Lily Ferraioli; Liam Thompson; and her great nieces and nephews: Jonathan, Matthew, Kaelyn, Levi, Esther, Daniel, and Benjamin; Zoe, Zachary, Zanna; Rory and Miles. She had a love for all dogs and is predeceased by her dogs Rumple and Helene, but is survived by her and her nephew’s loving Maltese, Frodo Chesterton Gibbs.
There are no services per her request. No flowers, please. Any donations may be made in her honor to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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