Miss Patricia Dolan (1924-2017)

Miss Patricia “Patty” Dolan -- an educator, civic and spiritual leader in the Borough of Ogdensburg for more than 70 years -- died on Thursday, March 23 at the Karen Ann Quinlan Home for Hospice in Fredon after a brief stay in the facility. She was 92.

The cause of her death was complications from lymphoma, which she battled during the last years of her life.

“Miss Dolan” – as she was known to the generations of school children who she educated from kindergarten through 8th grade – was a trailblazing woman and role model across Sussex County. At a time when few women were even attending college, she was a graduate of the College of New Jersey and earned Master’s degrees in both Elementary and Special Education, including one from Columbia University in New York City. Miss Dolan also earned the equivalent of a Doctorate Degree.

After achieving her own educational distinction, Miss Dolan returned to her hometown to share what she had learned and, over the next 49 years, rose from teaching in the classroom to becoming principal and, eventually, on St. Patrick’s Day, 1975, being named superintendent of the Ogdensburg Public School -- one of the first women in the state to achieve such professional distinction.

In those roles, Miss Dolan was one of the largest influences in Ogdensburg for thousands of children and their families. When she retired in 1994, a section of the school was renamed the “Patricia Dolan Wing” and she continued to attend 8th-grade graduations until the last year of her life and award scholarships to excellent students.

Miss Dolan was also very active in the community. She was the town’s Welfare Officer; a founding member of the Ogdensburg Historical Society; a charter member of the Ogdensburg Planning Board; and was, until last year, a member of the Ogdensburg Land Use Board. When Ogdensburg celebrated its 100th birthday in 2016, Patty Dolan was one of two honored as Grand Marshals of the parade and celebration.

Always true to her Irish heritage, Miss Dolan was also named Irishwoman of the Year for the Sussex County’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. She was very proud of her immigrant family and championed the successes and achievements of the many immigrants in Ogdensburg over the years.

But Miss Dolan’s most profound dedication was to her faith. For her entire life, she was a daily communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas of Aquin Church in Ogdensburg. She served in a multitude of committees and groups at the church including the church’s Cemetery Committee, Rosary Society, she was Secretary of the Parish Council, a member of the Social Action Committee, and was one of two Trustees for the parish. In that role, she was a trusted counselor to numerous pastors at the church through the years – another unique and trailblazing position for a woman.

The role that gave her the most recent pleasure was teaching grade-school students CCD (religious studies) classes, which she continued to do until the week before she died. Miss Dolan believed that sharing her unshakeable faith and devotion with children was one of the best ways to assure her legacy.

Miss Dolan was predeceased by her parents, Julia (Nestor) and Thomas; her brother, Thomas; and her niece, Patricia Dolan. She is survived by her nephew, Thomas Dolan and his wife Leslie, and her three grand-nephews: Patrick, Lucas, Max and Timothy and his wife Willow, and one great-grandnephew Kailynn. She was also a cherished and much-loved member of the Fitzgibbons family in Ogdensburg.

One of Miss Dolan’s neighbors’ favorite sights was watching her walk her many Scottish Terriers – all named “Duffy” -- over the years up and down Ogdensburg’s High Street early in the morning before sunrise and in the evening. Miss Dolan was a “dog person” long before the phrase ever came into fashion and she was enormously dedicated to her many beloved pets.

When she retired from Ogdensburg School, Miss Dolan summed up what her life of service to the families in Ogdensburg had meant to her: “I enjoy, and fondly love serving in this school and this community.” When asked what motivated her to become a teacher and to remain with it so long, she said: "lt’s a love of learning …Thank God, I never lost it."

Through her long life, she never did.

The public is invited to say good-bye to Miss Dolan at a wake at St. Thomas of Aquin Roman Catholic Church on Kennedy Avenue in Ogdensburg on Monday, March 27, 2017 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at the church on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. with internment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Saint Thomas of Aquin Church, Ogdensburg, NJ. Funeral arrangements entrusted to F. John Ramsey Funeral Home, Franklin, NJ please see www.fjohnramseyfuneralhome.com for condolences and directions.