Obituary of Patricia E. Gero

ORRINGTON— Patricia Loughlin Gero died peacefully in her sleep November 30, 2017, in her beloved home on Brewer Lake. Pat was tougher than a boiled owl. She is a four-time cancer survivor and faced all challenges with dignity and class. Pat was “Mom” to Chuck, “Mrs. G” to many, “Office Mom” to co-workers, “The Inimitable” “Auntie Pat” and “Big Sis” to others. No matter what she was called, she was a true friend to everyone she met.

Pat is survived by her son, Charles “Chuck” Gero and his partner Sandy Ware of Orrington; favorite aunt, Betty Black, of Brewer; cousin Becky McKay of Brewer; brother-in-law Jim Gero and his wife Cathy of Orrington and Rockwall, TX; sister-in-law Dorothy Warren of Los Angeles, CA and her precious Pixel pooch, Josie. She will be greatly missed by her other “family,” Sue and Joe Pate and their sons Joey and Hunter. She was predeceased by her husband Charles “Chuck” Gero; her parents, John and Thelma Loughlin; Uncle Bob Black; and Uncle Jim and Aunt Ruth Farrington.

Pat was born June 3, 1942 in Glens Falls, NY. She graduated from Scotia-Glenville High School and from SUNY Cobleskill, class of 1961. After marriage, Pat lived in Springfield, MA and Morris Plains, NJ before moving to Brewer Lake. Pat held administrative positions at Bass Park in Bangor, the Greater Bangor Chamber of Commerce and then the City of Brewer beginning in 1987 and retiring in 2012. She brought her inspiring attitude, fun-loving spirit and administrative skills to many community organizations. She was vice-president of the Orrington Old Home Week Committee, first vice-president of the Orrington Garden Club and secretary for the Orrington Republican Committee. She was active with the Orrington Historical Society and Selectmen’s Economic Advisory Board. She enjoyed taking classes at Senior College, exercise class at the Brewer Auditorium and working the polls on election days. Pat was proud of her Irish heritage, enjoyed reading Mafia books, needlework and spending time in her gardens. She loved to “ram the roads” on antiquing and junking expeditions, house and garden tours, tours of the coast, and then end the day with a glass of wine, or two. But most important, she loved entertaining her family and friends in her lakefront home with her incredible sense of style and grace. Pat’s interior design skills were noteworthy.  She nearly finished redecorating all the rooms in her home. The holidays were very special to Pat. She decorated her home for every season and went “all out” for Christmas, proudly displaying her collection of over 100 Santas and always picking the perfect Christmas tree to display her Santa ornaments.

Pat would not want people to grieve for her, but would ask that you share a memory of her, smile and toast her with a glass of wine. The family will hold a Celebration of Life gathering in the spring.  Written correspondence and condolence cards may be sent to the Gero Home, 882 Brewer Lake Road, Orrington. Those who wish to remember Pat in a special way, may make gifts in her memory to the Orrington Historical Society/Pat Gero Grange Hall Fund, P.O. Box 94, Orrington, ME 04474 or to the Pixel Fund, c/o Karen Wood, 11 Abbys Way, Orrington, ME 04474. Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, Brewer are trusted with arrangements and friends may visit kileyandfoley.com to offer condolences.