Patricia Ann Grotto Zukowski was born Jan. 5, 1929, in Watertown, Mass., to Agnes (Finnie) and Lucius Grotto. She was the first born of four daughters who included Janet, Linda, and Susan.

She entered the world during the first year of the Great Depression. That era shaped her lifelong values of self-sufficiency, hard work, and frugality. From an early age, Patricia took on many responsibilities, helping her mother manage a growing family in Greenfield, Mass. She graduated from Greenfield High School in 1947.

She married Alfred J. Zukowski of South Deerfield, Mass., on Oct. 12, 1950, at the Catholic Church in Greenfield. They had four children, John, Bryan, David, and Debra. Patricia continued to juggle many responsibilities between family and work life.

Her jobs included working at the familiar department store, Wilson's, on Main Street in Greenfield. She then worked for the credit union at U.S. Envelope, ascending to Manager at a time when it was very rare for a woman to occupy that role. She worked for the Credit Union League of Massachusetts and went on to serve as its president.

Patricia retired in 1989, but true to form, she passed no idle time in the 37 years since. She and her husband moved from Western Massachusetts to Cape Cod, to Conchas Dam, N.M., before settling in the Sebastian, Florida area, near their son David and family. She enjoyed traveling, especially on cruises.

Patricia shared her many creative and culinary talents with family and friends alike. Her hands were always busy, knitting blankets that still keep her children, their children, and her great-grandchildren warm at night. She's made mountains of hats, scarves, and children's sweaters; she turned every scrap into purses, bags, pillow coverings, and more.

Her KitchenAid mixer was constantly churning, making dough for a pie crust, pizza, or bread. She shared her love with a pie (pecan, apple, or pumpkin) and her coveted Parker House rolls. She was the consummate host of family gatherings and always the star of the potluck event wherever she went.

Throughout her life, Patricia always stepped forward to care for the broader family, first for her grandfather Francis Finnie, then for Alfred's uncle Stanley, and later for her mother Agnes. In later life, she babysat her grandchildren and great grandchildren while their parents worked.

Well into her nineties, she was a flurry of activity, an early riser, a formidable Bridge player, a fast-paced walker, and the patient who astonished nurses and doctors when she rattled off her birthdate.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband Alfred, her sister Janet, a granddaughter Emily, and a daughter-in-law Christina. She is survived by her sons, John (Margaret), Bryan (Beth), and David (Sally); a daughter, Debra (Leo Leary); sisters Linda and Susan; and her pride and joy, four grandchildren,12 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter.

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