Patricia Wolf Chernesky

Beloved grandmother of three amazing boys and mother of two children, Patricia Wolf Chernesky passed away on December 15, 2018 after a long battle with multiple myeloma and leukemia. Born in Mt. Kisco, NY in 1945 to Kenneth Vernon Wolf and Marian Upton Wolf, Pat had six siblings (sisters Ginny, Alice, Barb and Linda along with brothers Ken and Jeff). Pat was the strongest of the siblings and “packed a mean punch” according to Ginny. After graduating from Pelham High School, Pat attended Lasell College, but her academic career was sidetracked when she met and soon married naval officer John J Chernesky Jr. Their first child Karen soon appeared, followed by a move to Hawaii and the birth of her son John. Oahu would serve as home for 7 years. Pat resumed her educational pursuits and earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Hawaii, majoring in Journalism. The family of four would eventually live in Chantilly, Virginia; Neptune Beach, Florida; Brunswick, Maine; Virginia Beach, VA; and finally Fairfax, VA. With a naval officer for a husband, life at home often required that Pat serve as both mother and father for up to 6 months at a time. She relished the role and made sure everything ran smoothly, with both children graduating from college and going on to successful business careers, thanks in no small part to her. All told, Pat would move 28 times in her life, including stops in Reno, NV; Edgewater, NJ and finally Avon, CT. Pat loved life fully and will always be remembered for her infectious laugh, kind spirit, amazing generosity and compassion for those around her – especially four legged furry friends! Near the very end of her life, Pat was able to say some final goodbyes. She knew her time was up and she was at peace with moving on. As a final message to all of the well-wishing friends and family, Pat said “Just know I’m thinking of them and I love their messages. I love you all for all that you’ve done for me over the years. And I’ll miss you all.” When asked about her grandsons and what she wanted them to be later in life, Pat said “Aw, jeez – wow. That’s a toughie. I don’t really have a good answer other than doing what they want and that they’re happy doing it. Sorry I’ll miss seeing them grow up. But it is what it’s meant to be. I have great memories of them.” For those of us lucky enough to know Pat (aka Mom, Amma or Memaw), we are better people for having her in our lives. To focus on the great memories with her would be a full time job for days on end. If you try hard enough, it’s all you can think about – making the sad thoughts of her passing difficult to give any real attention to. Pat would want it that way. Focus on the laughs. The great experiences. The simple joys in life such as sharing a meal with friends, a stunning sunset, the blooming of a spring flower, laughing with her grandsons, or the first bite of sweet Connecticut corn (dee-lish!) Pat was not meant to die at 73 from cancer. She was supposed to perish from a freak accident while hang-gliding over the Amazon River…at the age of 92. For anyone interested in helping in the fight against Leukemia, we ask that you please donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in Pat’s honor at https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/in-honor-of-pat-chernesky Any donation – big or small – is welcomed with open arms to help eradicate this horrible disease.