I don't think many knew of the story about Patty... many have asked me about her over the years. She has a good Story, with a not so good ending.
Pat came to live with us when she was 2 years old. She spent most of her first two years of life in a hospital. She was born with a congenital heart defect. She had a hole in the middle of her heart, so the blood never really was able to circulate around her body. Her birth parents where not able to take care of her, and gave her up to the foster home system (note I did not say "gave her up for adoption"). My parents were never allowed to adopt her, they tried. The best they could do was to give her the family name Judd while she was going through grade school.
She was only 4 months younger than I, so I don't remember her ever coming to live with us. She was always there, always at my side, kind of like a twin. She was not supposed to live past her teens. This little secret only my parents knew. When she passed while attending college, it was quite a shock to me, and of course devastating, when I guess it was actually over due by about 10 years. I think about her every time I have a significant family event. All the birthdays missed, her nephews and nieces who will never know her. By the time my second daughter came along, I really never mentioned Pat much at all. My daughter gave me quite a tong lashing when she found out I had a sister who died while attending college that I never told her about.
Life is so ironic. 10 years ago I had an Aortic Dissection, it almost killed me. But the open heart surgery they performed on me to save my life, that what is now "simple" operation. Would have saved Pat's life... if only she lived just a few years longer....
This is the news article from the D&C the day she died, I've kept it in my sock drawer for 36 years: October 31, 1978: Patricia Pagan Judd, student at Nazareth Patricia Pagan Judd, 22, a student at Nazareth College, died Tuesday in class at Nazareth. She had a congenital heart disease and her foster father, Thomas Judd of 184 Park Road, Pittsford, said doctors told him she died of a heart attack. Miss Judd went to Pittsford Mendon High School, where she sang in the choir. She attended Batavia Community College, a two-year college, and graduated in June. She started at Nazareth this semester and was a member of the drama club there.
Mark, That was a beautiful post.I never knew that about Patty but I still recall you both getting off the bus in what seemed like Powder Mills Park like it was yesterday.
Thanks so much for sharing your story and Pattys story Mark. Very touching. I remember her smile and her sense of humor was great. Across the street from me on High Oaks lived my neighbor Mark Sutcliffe. He also had a hole in his heart and he died during surgery when an air bubble went to his brain. I'm very thankful that your surgery was successful and life is good for you. We will remember Patricia during the Memorial service we will be having that Sunday. I hope you can make it and if you can, share your story.
Mark Judd
I don't think many knew of the story about Patty... many have asked me about her over the years. She has a good Story, with a not so good ending.
Pat came to live with us when she was 2 years old. She spent most of her first two years of life in a hospital. She was born with a congenital heart defect. She had a hole in the middle of her heart, so the blood never really was able to circulate around her body. Her birth parents where not able to take care of her, and gave her up to the foster home system (note I did not say "gave her up for adoption"). My parents were never allowed to adopt her, they tried. The best they could do was to give her the family name Judd while she was going through grade school.
She was only 4 months younger than I, so I don't remember her ever coming to live with us. She was always there, always at my side, kind of like a twin. She was not supposed to live past her teens. This little secret only my parents knew. When she passed while attending college, it was quite a shock to me, and of course devastating, when I guess it was actually over due by about 10 years. I think about her every time I have a significant family event. All the birthdays missed, her nephews and nieces who will never know her. By the time my second daughter came along, I really never mentioned Pat much at all. My daughter gave me quite a tong lashing when she found out I had a sister who died while attending college that I never told her about.
Life is so ironic. 10 years ago I had an Aortic Dissection, it almost killed me. But the open heart surgery they performed on me to save my life, that what is now "simple" operation. Would have saved Pat's life... if only she lived just a few years longer....
This is the news article from the D&C the day she died, I've kept it in my sock drawer for 36 years:
October 31, 1978: Patricia Pagan Judd, student at Nazareth
Patricia Pagan Judd, 22, a student at Nazareth College, died Tuesday in class at Nazareth. She had a congenital heart disease and her foster father, Thomas Judd of 184 Park Road, Pittsford, said doctors told him she died of a heart attack.
Miss Judd went to Pittsford Mendon High School, where she sang in the choir.
She attended Batavia Community College, a two-year college, and graduated in June. She started at Nazareth this semester and was a member of the drama club there.
John Abel
Mark, That was a beautiful post.I never knew that about Patty but I still recall you both getting off the bus in what seemed like Powder Mills Park like it was yesterday.Jesse Irwin
Thanks so much for sharing your story and Pattys story Mark. Very touching. I remember her smile and her sense of humor was great. Across the street from me on High Oaks lived my neighbor Mark Sutcliffe. He also had a hole in his heart and he died during surgery when an air bubble went to his brain. I'm very thankful that your surgery was successful and life is good for you. We will remember Patricia during the Memorial service we will be having that Sunday. I hope you can make it and if you can, share your story.