You Are My Sunshine: Celebrating the Life of Pat Delorey
[Christine, Pat & Christine’s cousin on their last visit together in the Katzman Café. Christine said, “My mother called it ‘The Glass House’ and she loved bringing her guests there.”]
Patricia “Pat” Delorey brought warmth, humor, and joy wherever she went. She loved theater, musicals, dancing at Revere Beach, and spending time with the people she loved. Pat, who passed away on April 26, 2026, always looked on the bright side, armed with a quick wit, a sharp sense of humor, and the ability to make others smile.
Pat spent the last year and a half of her life at the Katzman Family Center for Living (KCL), where, according to her daughter, Christine Chiasson, she quickly felt at home.
“From the moment we arrived, you could see how much the staff truly cared about the residents,” Christine said. “The staff did far more than provide medical care — they formed real relationships. You could feel how much they truly loved the residents, and that made all the difference in the world.”
Christine said it was often the small acts of kindness that meant the most. Pat loved soup so much that staff affectionately called her “the soup lady,” and the chef regularly prepared her favorite soups just for her.
Pat also loved dancing and singing, and the staff embraced that part of her spirit completely. Staff members often danced their way into her room or sang along with her, keeping a smile on her face even on difficult days. Their warmth and humor transformed ordinary moments into joyful ones. Christine summed up her mom’s philosophy of life: “The hymn ‘It Is Well with My Soul’ perfectly captures the peace and hope my mother carried with her throughout her life
Christine noted that the Katzman Center reminded her more of a home and rather than a skilled nursing facility. “I was continuously impressed with the cleanliness of the Katzman Center,” says Christine. “It was immaculate! The pride that the staff took in maintaining their environment was always in evidence.”
One of the family’s favorite memories was Pat’s 95th birthday celebration, when Christine’s husband’s band performed at the Katzman Center. During the party, Pat and her 105-year-old roommate, Rose, stood hand-in-hand singing “You Are My Sunshine.”
“My mother used to say she found her best friend at age 95,” Christine recalled.
A practicing Catholic, Pat attended her first Shabbat service while at KCL, an experience she deeply appreciated. Afterward, she simply said, “We’re all trying to get into the same God.”
When Pat transitioned to hospice care, the staff focused on keeping her comfortable and surrounded by love. The family especially treasures one final visit from Pat’s 11-year-old granddaughter, when Pat was alert, smiling, and able to enjoy time with her family.
“Caring for someone with dignity, compassion, and even laughter is not easy,” Christine said. “But the Katzman Family Center for Living did exactly that. Our family will always be grateful.”
