Patricia Ann (Gerke) Boatright, age 88, of Groton, passed away May 27, 2022 surrounded by her family after a prolonged illness.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Mary (Greg) Herald, Maggie (Bill) Pate, Beth (Kenny) Lee, Anne (Jeff) Beaney and Jim (Maryann) Boatright; sisters, Lorraine Veneklase and MaryLou Gerke; brothers Bill Gerke and Jack Gerke; Grandchildren Chip Pate, Patty Pate, Bob (Madge) Pate, Allison (Matthew) Viglianti, Andrew (Kyle) Herald, Brett Beaney, Travis Beaney, Jake (Stephanie) Lee, Connor Beaney, Matthew Boatright; Great-grandchildren Molly Pate, Ryan Pate, Gavin Pate, Lily Pate, Zoe Pate, Gabriel Pate, Taegan Pate, Declan Pate, Olivia Pottie, Nathan Pottie, Grace Viglianti and Finn Lee; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald L Boatright Sr; her son Donald L Boatright Jr, and dear friend Eugene McAuliffe; sisters Kathryn (Harry) Sobotka, Rosemary (Bill) Winstrom; brothers Fred (Agnes) Gerke, Brother Stephen OFM, Robert (Margaret) Gerke, James (Pat) Gerke and Thomas (Geri) Gerke.

Patricia grew up in a large family in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she attended Catholic Central High School and obtained a Nursing diploma from Mercy Central School of Nursing.  She traveled to California to start her nursing career and met her husband, Don.  They raised their six children in Bedford, MA before retiring to Groton.  Patricia loved the outdoors, church and her family.

Patricia, known to her close friends as Pat, was a woman who had a passion for life and lived it to its fullest. As a young woman, she enjoyed bowling, card games like Tunk and spending hours at Camp Lake in Michigan swimming. These interests grew and carried long into her adulthood and retirement as she shared them with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her later years, she would take kids canoeing, kayaking, blueberrying and fishing or challenge one of them in a game of cribbage by the lake, a game she would happily win.

Along with her passion for life, Pat had a solid commitment to service. A devout woman of God, Pat practiced her faith consistently and was known to volunteer hours of her time to her church. A selfless individual, she was always the first to help a loved one in need. Whether it be gardening, baking, cooking, cleaning, or just plain fun and games, Pat found joy in teaching those around her about the simple pleasures of life. Her legacy can be seen in the souls she touched so deeply.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. James Church, 13 St. James St., Groton, on Tuesday, June 21, at 10:00 AM, followed by private interment at Shawsheen Cemetery in Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be sent to: St Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105