(June) Patricia Wagner, former resident of Watsontown, PA; died on April 30, 2018 at Milton, PA. Pat, often called Patty; was born in Watsontown on July 30, 1927, the daughter of Jacob H. Wagner and Thelma Pysher Wagner.
She was a graduate of Watsontown High School with the class of 1945 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Bucknell in 1950. She later completed graduate studies at Bucknell, Penn State and Bloomsburg universities. At Bucknell she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority, Mu Phi Epsilon-national music honorary and Kappa Delta Pi–national education honorary. She was a member of Student Senate, NAACP, Chapel Choir, Women’s Glee Club and served as president of Chi Chi, fraternity for students living off-campus.
Following graduation Pat moved to New York City. She sang professionally at the chapel on Governor’s Island, headquarters for the First Army, and at All Angels Episcopal Church in Manhattan. She was a soloist with the New York Community Opera, sang at Columbia University’s premiere performance of “Acres of Sky”, and appeared in a number of oratorios and concerts.
During her years in NYC she was employed first at New York Hospital, and later at International General Electric Company.
After her return to the Susquehanna Valley Pat was a copywriter for radio station WMLP, then began a twenty-nine year teaching career with the Milton Area School District. Certified in Elementary and Secondary Education; she was a teacher of students in grades five through eight; and was a member of state and national education associations She was a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Watsontown where she sang in and directed the choir.
Pat was preceded in death by her sister and brother-in-law, Jeanne Wagner Kear and Franklin F. Kear; and by her great-niece, Ellen Marie Kear. She is survived by two nephews, William F. Kear (Jean L. Kear) and Robert E. Kear (Christine Culver) both of Watsontown; great-niece Mary Avril Spencer (Matthew R. Spencer); great-nephew David W. Kear (Stacy Kear) Catonsville, MD; great- great nephew Philip J. K. Spencer, great-great niece Olivia G. Spencer and great-great nephew Franklin P. Kear. Pat maintained close contact with three of her favorite cousins: Mary Jane Cooper, Horseheads, NY; Thomas Pysher, Sequim WA; and Richard Fox, Canaan NH. Mrs. M. Gay MacDonald, Turbotville PA; teaching colleague, travelling companion and devoted friend for many years.
In accordance with her wishes there will be no services, and Pat will be interred in the family plot – Watsontown Borough Cemetery; at the convenience of her family. Arrangements are entrusted to Brooks Funeral Home & Cremation Services PC, 124 Main Street, Watsontown. http://www.wfbrooksfuneralhome.com
