39 East High Street, Ballston Spa, NY info@armerfuneralhome.com
(518) 885 6181
Patricia Rutland "Patty"
Patricia Ritrovato Rutland 64, passed into eternity at the Saratoga Hospital late Monday evening, December 5, 2011, surrounded by loved ones.
Born on October 24, 1947, in Troy, NY, Patty was the daughter of John Ritrovato and Agnes Lohnes. She was a graduate of Troy High School and the Albany School of Nursing.
Best known as the proprietor of The Patty-Cake Shoppe in Ballston Spa where she baked and decorated edible works of art for customers that included NYS Governors Mario Cuomo and George Pataki. Patty’s greatest legacy is that of a devoted mother and grandmother and as a volunteer who worked tirelessly to aid humanitarian causes through Rotary International. She was also a longtime certified NYS wildlife rehabilitator who nursed ill and injured creatures back to health before returning them to their natural habitats. Patty also cared deeply for the patients she cared for in hospitals, nursing homes and private care settings. A former member of “Up With People”, Patty loved to sing and otherwise spread sunshine wherever she went.
Twice honored as “Rotarian of the Year” by the Rotary Club of Ballston Spa in recognition of her two decades of putting “Service Above Self”, Patty held leadership positions ranging from secretary to president as well as earning a Paul Harris Fellow.
But her greatest source of pride and joy were her two children, whom she credited with inspiring her to start a home-based business that initially involved “playing with frosting” and the grandchildren who kept her young at heart.
Patty was predeceased by her husband Harrington Rutland, Sr. She is survived by the couple’s two children, Robert B. Rutland of Ballston Spa and Rebecca Little (Jeremy) of Saratoga Springs, her grandchildren, Cayden Rutland and Nathaniel Little, her mother, Agnes Calicchia of Malta, brother, John Ritrovato of Brunswick, stepchildren, David Rutland of Watervliet, Leonard Rutland of Colonie, Judith Guise of Altamont, Nancy Rutland of Colonie and Lorraine Rutland of Colonie.
Funeral services will be held 6pm Thursday, December 8 at Armer Funeral Home, Inc., 39 East High Street, Ballston Spa. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home from 4 to 6pm Thursday prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Country Wild Care, PO Box 63, Lake George, NY 12845.
info@armerfuneralhome.com Armer Funeral Home ©2011 (518) 885 6181
Guest Book
Kristen Freightenburgh
I am so very sorry for your family's loss. Patty has made most of my birthday cakes, my wedding cake, and my baby shower cake. My birthday was just a few days ago and it was not the same without one of her special creations. She is very missed. Again, I am sorry for your loss.
Margaret Ida
Your Mom started making cakes for our family when my daughter turned 4 years old. She just recently turned 23 so you can see how many years we went to your Mom. She was not only an amazing baker but she was truly an artist. The "Belle" cake that she made for my daughter is still in all of our memories. Over the years I had the opportunity to chat with her and I so enjoyed getting to know her. I was so saddened to see that she had passed away. Please accept our sympathies for your loss. You were truly so blessed to have such a wonderful person in your life.
Amanda L Zabek
My husband and I were fortunate enough to have discovered Patty 15 years ago when we were planning our wedding. She was a true artist and a wonderful baker. Patty helped make our special day more so, she put us at ease and seemed to have a true love for what she was doing. Our experience with her was so wonderful that we recommended her to many people, including my sister who was married a few months after us, and also enjoyed a "Patty-Cake".
Douglas Ford / Curtis Lumber
I have known Patty for just a few years since joining Rotary in Ballston Spa. Patty has been an inspiration to me in many ways. I am a better person for having known her.
My deepest sympaty to all.
Jill Hagan (Beys)
To Patty's family, I am so sorry for your loss. I met Patty while working with, of course, North Country Wildcare. We discovered we had probably crossed paths without knowing it. We were both nurses and shared a passion for helping our planet's wildlife. We started exchanging squirrel babies, and there were many. Then I discovered she had made my sister's wedding cake and it was fabulous. She will be missed by so many, and so many animals that never met her. She leaves behind a family that she just adored, friends, patients and of course our wildlife. I am sure that she has a huge job ahead of her in her eternal life. She was kind and caring and will be missed. I am grateful for the oppurtunity to have met her and I know that you will cherish the time you had with her. Hold on to those memories and she will be with you forever.
Jody Wheeler
I feel so lucky to have been with Patty this past week.. we laughed , she was so alive and so energetic and .. well full of life! We talked about end of life issues.. and somehow I feel she is still very close.. ?? My luck and grace that Ann Hauprich introduced me and I shared smiles and tea with Patty! She so loved her kids and grandkids!!
xoxJody
Sigrid B. Wallace
You are missed. My sympathies to all of Ms Patti's family and friends. Patti gave me much needed words of encouragement and wisdom as a volunteer with North Country Wildcare. Her loving influence has had a positive impact far and wide.
Elaine Wieczorek
Patty created my son's, sister's, friend's, and mine wedding cakes. She was a friendly, wonderful lady who will be missed. Thank you Patty - today I'll be married 15 years.
Maureen Loudis
Bobby and Becky,
So very, very sorry to hear about your Mom. She was a wonderful lady. We had many, many talks together and I always appreciated her insight and wisdom. I know you will miss her greatly, as I will. This is a tremendous loss. But, she will be in your memory forever. My prayers are with you during these difficult days.
Love,
Maureen
Steven Esposito
What a great friend Patty has been for nearly 25 years! We came into Rotary the same year-1988- and she has been a delight from the very start. Patty always had a smile and an infectious laugh and a pleasure to be around. I am honored to have known her and to call her friend. My condolences to the family.
Sharon Zavadil
Dear Family Members,
I had the opportunity to work with Patty while we were both at Maplewood Manor nursing home. I remember her always as very compassionate and patient with her residents under her care. A smile, a touch, a hug, a peaceful word were what she gave to those she met each day while at work. She supported our pastoral care program through her work in the Rotary Club, inviting me to speak to them about the need for support. She was always a listener, an encourager of those around her. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time of the loss of Patty's presence in your lives. May the God of all comfort abide with each of you.
Lorraine Jewett
So sorry for your loss. She was a wonderful person. Theresa felt like she was a second mother to her.