Patricia “Patti” Mellow of Forest City, Pa. died on April 17, 2021 at age 61 in the loving arms of her wife of 29 years, Patricia McCabe. The cause was cancer.
She was born on March 29, 1960, the youngest of eight children of the late Fred and Kathryn Mellow.
Patti and Pat met in Provincetown in 1992 at Snack Attack, where Pat was working. Patti was a housekeeper at Bradford Gardens. Thereafter, they were inseparable, and they returned every year to the Outer Cape to live and work whenever they could. For a time, Pat owned the store Sawdust on Commercial Street.
Patti cherished friendships that went back to her childhood on Delaware Street. She graduated in 1978 from Forest City Regional High School, where she was a star basketball player. She graduated from the University of Scranton in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in human services. She worked for 25 years at the Scranton State School for the Deaf, where she loved the children in her charge. She and Pat had a spot in the Lark Mountain Marketplace in Wilkes-Barre, where she sold antiques. She was extremely proud of her relationship with her cousins from Italy and her Italian heritage.
Patti will be remembered for her kind, outgoing, loving personality. She doted on the couple’s cats, Franky, Piper, Heinz, Sweet Pea, Leo, Em, Calico, Faith, Nice Mommy, and Gracie. There was not a kitten that she didn’t love. She was especially proud of her sons and grandchildren. They all brought an instant smile to her face.
Patti was known for her big brown eyes, killer smile, sharp sense of humor, and ability to make everyone feel special. She loved walking the beaches and the freedom she felt in Provincetown. She loved going to Melissa Etheridge and Wailers concerts. Patti loved her reggae. She was an avid fan of the Yankees, the Penn State football Nittany Lions, and the WNBA. She loved gardening, being in the woods at Cottrell Lake with her family, and collecting and selling antiques. She could be found at all the local auctions.
“In 29 years, there was never a raised voice or a cross word,” said Patti’s grieving wife this week. “Our hearts are in Provincetown.” Patti’s ashes will be scattered at Long Point, she said.
Patti is survived by her wife, Patricia McCabe of Forest City; sisters Mary Bravo of Arizona and Catherine White of Union Dale, Pa.; brothers John Mellow and wife Linda of Pocono Lake, Pa., James Mellow and wife Melanie of Union Dale, and Adrian Mellow and wife Jacque of Georgia; sons Kevin McCabe and wife Melinda of Pine Bush, N.Y., Dennis McCabe and wife Drea of Denver, and Jeff McCabe and wife Simone of Centreville, Va.; grandchildren Julianne, Colin, Sophia, and Nicholas McCabe; a sister-in-law, Jackie, of Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Fred Mellow and Dr. Thomas Mellow.
Her family expresses appreciation for the compassionate care she received at the Geisinger/CMC PCU and at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore.
In lieu of flowers, Patti’s wishes were for donations to the Eastern Pa. Animal Alliance Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic at epaaonline.org. Expressions of condolence may be left at lesjackfuneralhome.com.
