Obituary of Patricia F. Bishop

Pat Bishop, age 94, of Geneseo, died Saturday, June 15th, 2019 at Highland Hospital. Family members were blessed to be with her as she departed this world. Born Margaret Patricia Fitzgerald on March 19, 1925 she was proud of her Irish heritage and used to declare that she was "as Irish as the day is long". The lilt of her laughter was one of her many gifts that she brought to all who knew her, as was her love of people. Pat was a confidant and mother figure to many, and her kitchen was always open for coffee and conversation. Many will remember Pat as the head of Bishop's Dairy for many years. She modeled the values of hard work and customer service, even if neighbors rang the office bell during Thanksgiving dinner. Her words, "If we don't have good service, we don't have anything" were drilled into the minds of her sometimes reluctant children. Pat also loved going to auctions, refinishing furniture, hunting for the perfect bargain antique, sending bets on the daily double with the milkmen going to Batavia Downs, and spending time with her many wonderful friends. A bit of a gambler at heart, she got excited when scratching a lottery ticket or most recently playing BINGO at Morgan Estates where she has been lovingly cared for for the last three years. Pat was predeceased by her brother, Joseph Fitzgerald, her sister, Catherine Barg, her son, Timothy James and a special nephew, Peter Moses. She is survived by her children, Michael (Anne Erwin) Bishop of Geneseo, Betsy (Bruce) Turcotte of New Vineyard, Maine, Todd (Blanca) Bishop of East Quogue, NY, Katherine(Steve) Gilmore of San Diego, CA, grandchildren, Elizabeth (Scott) Reardon, Jim Bishop, Anne (Adam) Famoso, Kate (Zack Munzer) Turcotte, Joe (Amanda) Turcotte, Sara (Brian) Guenther, Sean Cooke, Patrick (Natalie) Cooke, Colin Cooke, great grandchildren Jack, Molly, Luke and Mark Guenther, Teddy and Henry Famoso, Maggie and Ryan Reardon, special nieces and nephews, a very special sister-in-law, Sally Moses, long-time friend and caregiver, Mollie Steele. Pat earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the Geneseo Normal School and taught in Canandaigua for a short time before starting a family. It was then that the real teaching began, and she continued to teach all of us that loved her so about living and loving, persevering and laughing. She will be greatly missed, but leaves our hearts filled with gratitude for the gift of her life. Friends may call Thursday, June 27, 2019 from 4-7 PM at the Rector-Hicks Funeral Home, 111 Main St. in Geneseo. Her Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 28, 2019 at 11 AM at St. Mary's Church, 4 Avon Rd. in Geneseo. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Geneseo. Memorials may be made to the Geneseo Ambulance Fund, PO Box 428 Geneseo, NY 14454, or Morgan Estates Activity Fund, 4588 Morgan View Rd. Geneseo, NY 14454.