Patricia Lysko (1933-2023)

Patricia Kathleen Lysko, 90, a former Garrison resident, died June 5.

Patricia was born on April 16, 1933, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, the daughter of Walter and Jessie (Liscoumb) Goodwin. She moved to the Highlands Country Club in Garrison with her family in 1948, at the age of 15, to support the career of her father, who became the club’s golf pro. Patricia graduated from Haldane High School.

On July 27, 1951, at Our Lady of Loretto in Cold Spring, she married Paul Lysko, who died in 1998. They settled in Poughkeepsie, where they raised their five children, attending Sunday Mass and activities as parishioners of St. Mary’s R.C. Church. 

On Dec. 9, 1955, Patricia became a naturalized citizen. She later worked until her retirement for the U.S. Postal Service, during which time she memorized hundreds of ZIP codes.

Patricia enjoyed many pastimes, including golf, sewing, reading, baking, drawing and spending time with her family and friends. Those closest to her fondly recall her hum or whistle a tune while she worked.

In 1994, Patricia and Paul moved to Barefoot Bay, Florida, where they enjoyed the sunshine, welcoming family to come spend vacation. There they joined the Barefoot Bay Canada Club and a new parish family at St. Luke’s R.C. Church in Micco, Florida, where Patricia was a eucharistic minister, lector, member of the Ladies Guild and a volunteer at the thrift store.

More recently, since February 2021, Patricia resided with her brother, Norman Goodwin, at Ormond in the Pines Assisted Living Facility in Ormond Beach, Florida. The residents and staff helped immensely in the adjustments necessitated by her move, her family said. She became very attached to them over the last two-plus years and shared many laughs. It was her desire that staff know how deeply she appreciated their kindnesses, earning them a special place in her heart, her family said.

Along with her brother, she is survived by her children, Paul Lysko Jr., Allan Lysko, Patricia Long, Susan Craft and Mark Lysko, 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (July 5) at 10 a.m. at Holy Trinity Church, 775 Main St. in Poughkeepsie, followed by interment at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Poughkeepsie. 

Memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s Church in Micco, Florida (stlukebarefootbay.org) and the Stuart F. Meyer Hospice House in Palm Coast, Florida (adventhealthhospicecareeastfl.com).