Obituary of Patricia "Patty" Grech

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Patricia ("Patty") R. Grech, 86, of Northport, NY on June 13, 2022. Patty was surrounded by her loving family when she left to join her late husband Joseph Grech to whom she was married from 1962 until his passing in 2011. Patty was the eldest daughter of Albina "Bea" Babish McClain and Milton Earle McClain. She was born in Manhattan but moved to Northport with her Joe in 1966 and worked for many years as a telephone operator for IBM and later as a receptionist for Savings Bank of America. She is survived by her twin children Amy B. Grech of Forest Hills, NY and Andrew J. Grech, and Andrew's spouse Denise Kiernan, of Northport, NY; Patty's sisters Gayle Polak of Huntington, NY and Kim K. McClain, and Kim's spouse Brian R. Smith, of Glastonbury, CT; and her niece, Celeste J. Smith.

Patty will be remembered for her uncanny ability to make friends easily and get along with almost anyone. This was no doubt why she was a successful telephone operator at a time when human interactions were more highly valued than today when we are all put on hold to wait for the next robot.

Patty will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends. Because she loved animals she will also be missed by the latest in a long line of her pet dogs and cats.

Calling hours will be 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 16 at the Nolan Funeral Home, 5 Laurel Avenue, Northport, NY and a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Philip Neri Roman Catholic Church, Main Street, Northport, NY at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022. She will be buried next to Joe at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, NY.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Little Shelter Animal Rescue website: www.littleshelter.org.