Patty Smith resided in Sudbury Vermont from 1978 till 2003.
At 3:42 am on Monday, May 15, 2023, Patricia (Patty) Marie Smith passed away peacefully while in hospice care in Dunedin, FL. Her stepson Paul visited her regularly until the day of her passing. She was able to enjoy her time and make quite a positive impact to staff and residents of her memory care facility Arden Courts in Palm Harbor, FL.
Patty was born in Brooklyn, NY on June 14, 1943. She grew up in St. Petersburg, FL with her two brothers, Robert and Tommy. She also spent some time after graduation in San Francisco. She extended her education at St. Petersburg Community College and the University of South Florida. Patty married her husband George Smith in 1972. Although not a fan of the colder climate, she supported George’s desire to move to Vermont, a place he loved, and develop a homestead there on his land in Sudbury. After a failed first attempt in 1976 in an uninsulated 200-year-old farmhouse, they built a small home and settled permanently there in 1978.
Patty had boundless energy and pursued whatever tasks were required. She was a quick learner and whatever skills that she needed she developed quickly. This included everything from organic gardening to building construction as well as doing chores on a neighboring dairy farm. In addition, she became Sudbury town clerk and quickly developed the skills necessary for the job. She held this position for 17 years.
Although Patty had no children of her own, she bonded with George’s sons, Paul, and Ken. When Paul and Ken came to Vermont for extended visits, she brought them happiness and laughs while picking berries, enjoying campfires, making runs to Brandon for candy and ice cream, visiting grandma and grandpa Smith, learning to drive and cross-country skiing. Patty thoroughly enjoyed being with children of neighbors and friends and they enjoyed being with her.
In the early 90s, while in Vermont, Patty finished a master’s degree in the neurosciences. She also went on to run and win a seat in the state House of Representatives in Vermont. She served 2 terms in the 1990s. Patty was a progressive thinker and well ahead of her time in terms of equal rights in Vermont.
In 2002, Patty met her current husband, Ralph Weseman, Jr. They relocated to New Port Richey, FL in 2003. Patty was a dedicated caregiver to many people she met in her life including George’s parents, her husband Ralph upon his suffering a stroke in 2006, and her brother Tommy, who predeceased her in 2021.
Those of us that knew Patty and associated with her enjoyed her quick sense of humor and funny and often colorful sayings. We also enjoyed and benefitted from her insights into the problems of life and sound advice that she offered freely. She was a quick study and could master almost any situation that she applied herself to and was generous and kind and loved by children, or “munchkins” as she called them. Patty was a dear friend to many including lifelong friendships that are rare and cherished.
