Wellsville, NY - Eileen Ardell “Pat” Palmatier, 98, of 4192B Bolivar Road died on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville. She was born January 25, 1919 in Wellsville, the daughter of the late Levi B. and Susan Emily (Cunningham) Ellis. On September 5, 1943 in Louisiana she married Donald Palmatier who predeceased her on June 23, 2003.
Pat was a 1937 graduate of Wellsville High School, where she played basketball and softball. She was a long time resident of Field Street in Wellsville prior to moving to Manor Hills.
She was first employed at Reuning Bakery in Wellsville and during WW II she worked at Bell Aircraft in Buffalo. She also worked at the Airport Holiday Inn in Buffalo and later she retired from the housekeeping department of Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville after 16 years.
She was a member of the Ladies Home Bureau and the VFW Auxiliary. She was an avid bowler, seamstress and Buffalo Bills fan and enjoyed playing cards. She loved sports, puzzles, games and playing by the rules, at least when people were paying attention. Whenever the mood hit, she enjoyed singing, dancing and whistling. She had a legendary whistle that could be heard throughout the neighborhood; which meant, “Get home”! Through life’s up and downs, she always kept up her courage and has been an inspiration to all.
She is survived by one daughter, Susan (Dale) Zanders of Wellsville, seven grandchildren, Debbie Wright, Steve Burrell, Mike Burrell, Wayne Palmatier, David Palmatier, Marty Reese and Jessica Moerler, 15 great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, a son-in-law, Gerald Reese, several nieces and nephews and she will be missed by her many special friends at Manor Hills. She was predeceased by two children, Dana Palmatier and Jo Ann Palmatier, one granddaughter, Dawn Farrell, two brothers, Richard Ellis and George “Ed” Ellis, two sisters, Nellie “Leonette” Gorton and Emily “Deorwyn” Forgarty and a sister-in-law, Louise O’Connor.
A memorial service is being planned for March and the date and time will announced. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Please consider memorial donation to the Hart Comfort House
To leave online condolences, please visit embserfuneralhome.com.
