[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 40 (Monday, March 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E219-E220]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF PATRICIA ANN PINNEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 7, 2022

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of a 
true, diligent public servant, Patricia Ann Pinney, of Somers, 
Connecticut. Pat passed at the age of 70 on February 20, 2022, 
surrounded by her loving family.
  Born to Mary and Stanley Paduch on June 13, 1951, in the neighboring 
State of Massachusetts, Pat lived out her life as a dedicated, northern 
Connecticut native. Destined to nurture the same community that raised 
her, Pat

[[Page E220]]

moved with her family to Suffield from the next-door town of Enfield at 
the age of 10. After graduating from Our Lady of The Angels Academy, 
Patricia remained in Eastern Connecticut where she went on to achieve 
her bachelor's degree from University of Connecticut. It was during her 
time at the University of Connecticut where she also met and then 
married the love of her life, David Pinney. Upon achieving her 
bachelors in 1973, Pat immediately picked up a career teaching in 
Enfield. A true reflection of her character, however, Pat eventually 
placed her passion for teaching on pause and departed the Enfield 
school system so that she could raise their four children: Leigh, Rob, 
Matthew and Nora.
  Having built out her family's roots, Pat recommenced her legacy as a 
renowned teacher at Hall Memorial School in Willington, Connecticut. 
Providing students with a sense of the world in which they live, it was 
Patricia's mission to provide the next generation with the tools they 
needed to succeed within their respective community. Patricia was a 
truly natural educator, armed with a keen ability to keep her students 
engaged. She acted as the regional coordinator for History Day, 
encouraging students to represent Northeast Connecticut on the national 
stage during the History Day Competition in Washington, D.C. A strong 
finalist for the Connecticut Teacher of the Year and recipient of the 
University of Connecticut's NEAG School of Education Outstanding School 
Educator Award, Pat's career as an educator was defined by excellence.
  Madam Speaker, Patricia was known for her generous spirit. Whether in 
the classroom, at home, or out in the community, she invested 
tremendously in everyone who she met. As a mother and educator, she 
truly had the growth of the next generation at heart. Her absence will 
be felt sorely in the Eastern Connecticut community. Though we mourn 
this terrible loss, we find gratitude in the ripple effect caused by 
the strength of her character. There is literally an army of people out 
there to operate as the standard bearers of her memory, namely, her 
husband, David, and family-in-law of over 50 years, their four children 
and families, and her five siblings. To that end, I ask my colleagues 
in the House to join me in honoring Patricia Ann Pinney.

                          ____________________