Obituary of Patricia R. Kunkel

     Patricia “Pat” R. Kunkel, 89, of Barneveld, NY, passed away on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at Wynn Hospital in Utica, with her loving niece by her side. 

     Patricia was born in Utica, on February 18, 1935, the daughter of Chauncey and Ruth (Sterling) Kunkel. She was raised in Utica and was a graduate of Utica Free Academy. Pat continued her education at Utica College and graduated from St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she was offered a teaching position at St. Luke’s Memorial. Knowing that the School of Nursing would soon be phased out, Pat returned to school furthering her education at SUNY Oneonta where she eventually earned her master’s degree in early childhood education, while also working full time as an RN at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital. For over 30 years until her retirement, Pat was employed as a kindergarten teacher with the Whitesboro Central School District at Westmoreland Rd. Elementary School, a job she truly loved. Pat enjoyed gardening, reading, visiting friends and family and especially loved her cat, Mamma. She was also a devoted volunteer at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen and a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church in Utica. In her younger years, she enjoyed traveling with her dear friend, Marilyn Hensel, having visited every state except Alaska.

     Miss Kunkel is survived by her beloved niece, Maryruth (David) Stopera and her cherished great nephew John all of Westmoreland, NY, who was more like a mother and grandmother to them; niece, Carrie Byrd of Cato, NY and her four children, Kiley, Sean, Katie and Jacob and her lifelong friend of over 70 years, Joyce (Kolmer) Borrill, who was like a sister to Pat. She was predeceased by her parents, Chauncey and Ruth Kunkel, brother, Sterling Kunkel and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara (Kunkel) and John Barnaba.

     Visitation for family and friends is Friday, November 8, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica, followed by a funeral Mass of Christian burial at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph & St. Patrick Church, 702 Columbia St., Utica. She will be laid to rest in West Schuyler Cemetery, Schuyler, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to an animal shelter of your choice or the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or at woundedwarriorproject.org.

     Pat’s family would like to thank the many friends she made throughout her life while a nurse at St. Luke’s Memorial Hospital, a teacher at Westmoreland Rd. Elementary, a volunteer at Mother Marianne’s West Side Kitchen or the friends she made along the road of life. She cherished you all greatly. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Wynn Hospital, especially, nurse manager, Stephanie, charge nurse Megan and Dr. Khazaal, for your kindness, compassion and professionalism.