Patricia Anne Panciera, age 76, passed away on her birthday, Monday January 14, 2019, after losing her battle to overcome the devastating effects of a stroke she suffered in October. She was surrounded by family, and, as with all things in her life, she passed peacefully with dignity, grace, resolve and courage. A loving mother, grandmother, life-long educator and committed elected official, “Patti” was a pillar of the Westerly community, the town she loved. Patti was born in Westerly on January 14, 1943 to Joseph and Angeline (Beondine) Perri. Patti graduated from Westerly High School in 1961. She then attended the University of Rhode Island where she received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in both English and French in 1965. She also met her first husband, Donald Farley, whom she married upon graduation. In 1966, Patti and “Don” had three children, her daughter Kristen, in January, and her twin sons, Sean and Scott, in November: Irish triplets. She lived in Ashaway for ten years where she raised her family. In 1977, Patti moved back to Westerly with her three children where she would live and work for the remainder of her life. In 1990, Patti married her second husband of 22 years, Donald Panciera. Professionally, Patti was a well-respected, life-long educator, initially teaching English at Chariho and thereafter teaching both French and English in the Westerly public schools for 28 years. Her true love was English. She touched the lives of generations of students. In addition to a well-earned reputation for teaching strict grammar and creative writing, Patti was remembered by her students as teaching not only academic skills but also life lessons. She taught the values of hard work, common sense, dedication, commitment and perseverance. Her commitment to and love for teaching English was on display for most of her adult life in the form of a vanity plate on her Camaro, Corvette and ultimately Cadillac: “Verb 8.” If you cared to ask, Patti would explain that there are eight parts of speech in the English language with the verb expressing action. Her commitment to education and service to the Town of Westerly persisted into her retirement. At the age of 72, she ran for and was elected to a four-year term on the Westerly School Committee, where she served for a time as the vice-chair and participated on the team that successfully negotiated the new Westerly Teachers’ Association contract. She was reelected to the Committee in the recent elections in November of 2018. When not performing her duties as an elected official, Patti loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, socializing with her group of close friends, knitting, dining at her favorite local establishments (especially Longos and the Cooked Goose), playing golf and relaxing at the Seaside Beach Club. Patti is survived by her daughter Kristen Sweeney (John) of Eliot, ME, Scott Farley (Rachel) of Bel Air MD, stepdaughter Lisa Downer (Dennis) of Colchester, CT, Gail Panciera of Westerly, RI, and Donald Panciera Jr. (Donna) Ashaway, RI; seven grandchildren: John, Erin, Liam, Abbigail, Benjamin, Will and Anna; and her nephew Father Dean Perri and niece, Shannon Perri. She was predeceased by her son, Sean Farley, her husband, Donald Panciera, her brother, Joseph Perri Jr. and her mother and father Joseph and Angeline Perri. A wake will be held at Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home on Friday, January 25 from 3:00-7:00 p.m., 59 Spruce St, Westerly, RI 02891. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Saturday, January 26 at 11:00 a.m., 44 Elm St. Westerly, RI 02891, followed by a graveside committal service at River Bend Cemetery, 117 Beach St. Westerly RI 02891. Should you wish to send flowers, the family kindly requests that you contact Broadview Florist and Garden Center, (401) 322-0390. In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made to the Westerly Land Trust, P.O. Box 601 Westerly, RI 02891-0601. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfuneralhome.com