Patricia Mensel Perkins, MD   

Patricia Perkins, 89, departed this life Thursday morning (March 21, 2013) at her home in St. John’s Meadows in Rochester. 

She had bravely battled advancing medical problems for the past year and spent her last days at home surrounded by loving family members.

Originally from Northampton, Mass., Pat graduated from Smith College and the University of Rochester Medical School.

She and her husband, the late Dr. John Perkins, spent many happy years raising their family in Batavia, where she served as the school physician for the Batavia public schools and he was chief surgeon at Veterans Memorial Hospital.

They moved to Pittsford, after retirement and she spent her last years at St. John’s Meadows. 

During her later years, Pat also worked in research at Strong Memorial Hospital and volunteered as a dispatcher for the Pittsford Ambulance Service. 

She loved her family, books, the Sunday crossword puzzle and an energetic game of Scrabble. A lifelong learner, she was always genuinely interested in other people and enjoyed a good discussion about the world issues of the day.

She is survived by her daughter, Gail Johnsen, and Gail’s husband, Ken; her daughter, Sarah Jackson; her son, Andy Perkins, and his wife, Lisa; grandchildren, Bruce Johnsen, Ohi Johnsen, Molly Jackson, Emily Jackson, Kristen Heintz-Perkins and Caitlin Green; great grandchildren, Ariel and Alex Johnsen and two Heintz-Perkins’s due in June; and many other extended family members. 

She was predeceased by her brothers, Robert, Jerry and Arthur Mensel; grandson, Toby Johnsen and son-in-law, Bill Jackson.

Those wishing to make a donation in Pat’s memory are encouraged to consider the Pluta Cancer Center, 125 Red Creek Dr., Rochester, NY 14623. The email address is www.plutacancercenter.org. 

A memorial service will be held at a date to be determined. Those interested in attending may contact the family for details.