Patricia Patton Mentzer, 81, Retired Havre de Grace High School Nurse

Patricia Patton Mentzer of Havre de Grace passed away at Citizens Care Center, surrounded by her devoted family on Aug. 10, 2016. She was the loving wife of 59.5 years to William “Bill” Mentzer. She was affectionately known as “Da" by her family.

Born in Lancaster, PA, on April 13, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Claude and Thelma Patton and moved to Havre de Grace in 1944. Patricia graduated from Havre de Grace High in 1952, where she was the founding member of the Warrior Cheerleader Squad. She and her husband Bill began dating during high school.

After high school, she attended Union Memorial School of Nursing and graduated in 1955 as a registered nurse. She began working at Harford Memorial Hospital in the emergency/operating room, where she continued her career for many years. She retired as a school nurse for Havre de Grace High School.

Patricia loved traveling with her husband Bill and family. She made numerous trips and cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Germany, Ireland, Russia and Scandinavia. On their 50th wedding anniversary, they sailed from Santiago, Chili, around Cape Horn, to Rio de Janero, Brazil. She drove cross-country to Anchorage, AK, with her daughter Laura on many occasions. Patricia was an avid knitter, sewer, needlepoint and weaving. She was known for her hand-knitted Christmas stockings, socks and sweaters, and Halloween costumes. She also liked to sketch and paint. She enjoyed listening to classical music and Jimmy Buffett.

Surviving to cherish her memory are her husband William "Bill” Mentzer; her three children: Laura Mentzer, Ellen Ennis and her late husband Larry, Eric Mentzer and his wife Jennifer Thompson; grandchildren Christine Newkirk and husband Drew, Clara Ennis, Claudia Ennis, Jessica Mentzer, Lauren Mentzer and the late Erica Mentzer; and great-granddaughter Mikayla Newkirk. She was predeceased by her brother John “Jack” Patton.

Family and friends are invited to a viewing at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD 21078 on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2016, from 5 – 8 p.m. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016, at Havre de Grace United Methodist Church, 101 South Union Avenue, Havre de Grace, from 9- 10 a.m. and a funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Interment will be at McKendree United Methodist Church, 3708 Delta Road, Airville, PA.

Messages of condolences may be made to www.zellmanfuneralhome.com