Patricia Ann "Pat" Cancelli

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Ann “Pat” Cancelli, 74, after a long, fierce battle with lung cancer. A longtime resident of Plainville, she passed away on Monday June 14, 2021 at the Atrium of Rocky Hill. Pat was the loving and devoted wife of 37 years to Sarah “Sally” Cobrain, of Plainville, with whom she shared many wonderful, happy adventures.  

Pat was born on November 25, 1946 in New Britain, daughter of the late William R. and Gertrude (Proulx) Cancelli. She grew up in New Britain and graduated from New Britain High School. She worked for The Travelers for over 9 years before continuing her career as a Reinsurance Analyst at Aetna, where she spent 31 years.  Pat was an active member of the Plainville Senior Center, where she established many strong and lasting friendships and participated in a variety of activities, including rounds of pool, card games, and many trips and events.   She served as the Treasurer of the Plainville chapter of AARP for over 5 years and devoted much of her time to helping others. Pat was a real presence wherever she went and was very well-liked.  She was generous, loyal, hardworking, conscientious, and sassy with a great sense of humor.  Pat enjoyed gardening and baking, and everyone looked forward to receiving loaves of her famous pumpkin bread several times a year. In addition, she and Sally excelled as longtime players in the East Hartford Slow Pitch Softball League, Pat as a pitcher and Sally backing her up as an infielder.   They also loved traveling to national parks and historic landmarks around the U.S. and Canada, and enjoyed quiet times by the ocean, hiking, neighborhood walks and long sits on their front porch greeting neighbors passing by.  Favorite spots to be together were Wells Beach, Maine and New London, New Hampshire.  Pat loved her wife, her family, and her friends with all her heart.  They will deeply miss her generous heart and bold personality, and will cherish the lasting memories of times shared.

In addition to her wife, Sally, Pat is survived by her brother William “Bill” Cancelli (Carol Diana), her mother-in-law Ann Cobrain, her sister-in-law Candace Doersch (Robert Doersch), her brother-in-law David Cobrain (Valerie Valentine), and her nieces and nephews Philip Cancelli (Mary Raffey), Cheri Cancellli, Melissa Cancelli, Karen Doersch, and Carl Doersch; as well as a host of friends. She was predeceased by her brother John Cancelli and his wife, Carol Cancelli.

A celebration of Pat’s life will occur at a later date. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pat’s memory can be made to the Plainville Senior Center, 200 East Street, Plainville, CT 06062. The staff at Plainville Funeral Home extends their gratitude to Pat’s family for their trust. 

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