Obituary of Patricia M. Zylstra

Patricia M. Zylstra entered into rest on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Pat was born in 1930 in Manhattan, the daughter of Marion and Walter Connor. She graduated from schools in Easton, PA, attended the University of Miami and graduated from The Scudder School in Manhattan. Pat was employed by the American Broadcasting Company as secretary to the president of the Radio Network; then, as secretary to the president of ABC Television Network; and later, as assistant to the vice president of NBC-TV Programming. In 1960, she married Martin P. Zylstra in Manhattan. They moved to Wappingers Falls, NY in 1964, where her husband was employed by IBM. Martin predeceased her in 2002. They had four children: Lisa and husband, Fred Timm (Luke, Caroline and Nicholas) of Poughkeepsie; Peter and wife, Lisa Zylstra (Jack and Lily) of Atlanta, GA; and Tony and wife, Elizabeth Zylstra (Zach, Alex and Will) of Atlanta, GA. Their youngest son, Martin "Chip" Zylstra passed away in 1990. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanne and her husband, Michael Bomberger of Lancaster, PA, and her brother, Dr. Robert Connor and wife, Ronny of Philadelphia, PA. Pat was a loving mother, grandmother and sister. She will be remembered as a loyal friend, and for her stylish ways and great sense of humor. Pat will be greatly missed but the memories she leaves behind will be a comfort to all who had the good fortune to know her. She was a dedicated volunteer for the American Cancer Society, the Dutchess County Overnight Shelter for the Homeless and St. Mary's Food Pantry. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 11 Clinton Street in Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls. Contributions in Pat's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Ave., Ste. 1802, New York, NY 10001 or to the DCSPCA, 636 Violet Ave., Hyde Park, NY 12538. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. To send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.