Patricia A. SanGeorge

Patricia A. SanGeorge (nee Smith) of Buffalo, NY and The Villages, FL passed away on September 11, 2020 in Buffalo. Born on February 19, 1947. She Graduated from Kenmore West High School, Buffalo in 1965. She obtain an Associates Degree from Toby Coburn School of Retailing, New York City and interned at Macy’s,

Bloomingdales and Lord and Taylor. Macy’s offered her a Buyers position which would require her to travel to LA, Paris, Rome and London to purchase the latest fashions. Pat specialty was women’s handbags and leather goods. Her dream was to have a large loving family so instead she returned to Buffalo and worked as a Buyer for the William Hengerer Department store a subsidiary of Macy’s from 1967 to 1973. The company liked the energy and creativity she brought to the position and they awarded her a corner of the store called “Patty’s Place” where her purchases were sold.

In 1973 she became a stay at home Mom and raised her four children, Melissa, Kelly, Michael and Erin with her husband Ronnie. After her children were grown she helped establish Accurate Adjusters of WNY., Inc in 1989 where she worked as the corporate Vice President and Treasurer. She also filled in as a secretary/typist and desk adjuster until her retirement in 2008. She provided child care to all 8 of her grandchildren, Jackson, Griffin, Abbigail, Alexander, Michael, Ryan, Tyler and JD. With all the time she spent with her children and grandchildren she built extraordinary relationships with each of them.

Pat was very community minded and in 1980 while she was a member of the Delaware YMCA in Buffalo, the Y announced they were closing. Pat helped form “The Save the Delaware Y Committee” and she worked hard obtaining funding and individual and corporate memberships and until this day, the Delaware Y remains open serving North Buffalo.

In 1983 when a close family friend and marathon runner John Holzerland passed away from heart disease, Pat helped establish “The John A. Holzerland Memorial Heart Run”. Her job was to recruit hundreds of volunteers to work the race and the after party. She did this every year until 1990. Pat also did neighborhood collections for the American Heart Assoc., and the Buffalo Cancer Assoc.

In 2004 Pat was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and with various chemotherapy it was controlled until it went to her brain and she died from Glioblastoma. She fought cancer with courage, determination and grace never complaining about her plight in life. She was inspirational to her children, grandchildren and all who knew her.

Pat was like most of us, loving animals (especially dogs), babies and all flowers. Where she was unique was that she was proficient in sewing, knitting, ceramics, quilting and was a English Smocking instructor. She was featured numerous times on AM Buffalo TV program. Pat loved to plan weddings, showers and special parties. She loved to decorate and made every holiday special for her family and extended family. Her Sunday family and friends dinners were famous where she made Red Sauce from the recipe given to her by her Sicilian father in law, Joseph SanGeorge. She also liked to do crossword puzzles and read romantic books. She was not a sports fan but never missed watching a Buffalo Bills game.

In 2012 Pat and Ronnie purchased a seasonal home in The Villages where they have made many wonderful friends. A Celebration of Life will be held in Buffalo on a date to be announced. Donations can be sent to Hospice of Buffalo, NY.