DUANESBURG- Surrounded by her devoted family, Pat Wall peacefully left this world the morning of February 7, 2022 to become an honored ancestor. We are better for having her in our lives.
Born in 1930, she was raised in Elmira NY by Warren and Althea Mayhood. From modest roots, she was the first in her family to earn a college degree and studied Chemistry at a time when few women entered the field. She was smart, principled and independent. She shared her respect for education and science with her children and with the neighborhood children who knew to "Go ask Mrs. Wall" about matters of natural history. She loved birds, wildflowers, hiking, biking and gardening. She enjoyed tending to land, planted many trees and rebuilt old stone walls that stand today in her memory. She was raising flowers into her 91st year.
Where she lived in Charlton NY and Delanson NY, Pat believed in supporting her community and will be fondly remembered by the many people she touched, in all of her volunteer work as a legendary Girl Scout leader in the Mohawk Pathways Council, a volunteer EMT with the Duanesburg Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Town Zoning Board, Republican Committee, and many other roles in service to the wellbeing of others.
She leaves behind her beloved husband of 72 years, Bob Wall. An extraordinary mother who inspired individuality, she is survived by her four children, Michele Wall, Robin Wall, Daniel Wall and Barbara Wall, by eight grandchildren Ariele and Bailey Hanek, Linden Lane and Larkin Podsiedlik, Nathan and Erica Wall, and Ryan and Rachel Potter, who recall their wonderful camping adventures with grandma and by seven greatgrandchildren who were lucky enough to know her. Her deep work in genealogy and history leaves a lasting legacy of connection for her family. She is also honored by her many nieces and nephews.
She had a gift for making beauty from the simplest things, a bouquet of seed pods, a sculpture of driftwood from the Adirondack lakes where she loved to paddle. Her favorite flower was native bittersweet, and when it festooned the trees after leaf fall she would go gathering and keep its color all year long, in a bowl of gourds and in her favorite brown earthenware jug. When you see its bright orange berries against the bare branches, think of the way she colored your life.
One of her favorite sayings was "Always leave a place better than you found it", And she did.
Pat loved well and was well-loved. May her memory be a blessing.
Memorial contributions in Pat's name may be made to Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York, girlscoutsneny.org or 518-489-8110 x 116
To leave a special message for the family, please visit NewComerAlbany.com