Patricia Anne Layda, age 81, the beloved wife of 58 years of Richard Layda, entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 12, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A Newtown resident for 53 years, Pat was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on December 17, 1941, and was one of four children of Anani and Mary (Byrnes) Polchowski.

She attended St Charles School and Central High School in Bridgeport and graduated from the University of Bridgeport with an RN BS degree in 1963.

Pat retired from St Vincent’s Medical Center Clinic in 2013 after 25 years of service. Her nursing career spanned over 50 years. She also enjoyed working in the Park City Hospital emergency room, being a school nurse, a visiting nurse, and over 25 years as a St Vincent’s Parish Nurse.

Pat enjoyed being a member of her Ladies Book Club. Her flower garden gave her much pleasure along with swimming and traveling with friends and family.

Her greatest joy in life was being Mimi to her five grandchildren.

She will be missed by her husband, Richard; son Christopher (Lisa) of Newtown; sister Kathleen (Drew) Seaman of Boston; brother Thomas (Marianne) Polchowski of Newtown; her grandchildren, Molly, Mason, Camden, Miles, and Zarek; and many nieces and nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

Pat was predeceased by her son, Gregory; sister Nancy Shippe; and nephew John Shippe, Jr.

Pat would like to thank the outstanding RN staff at Yale Smilow Cancer Center for their wonderful compassionate care.

Calling hours will be Friday, March 24, from 4 to 7 pm at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown.

Burial will be private. Interment will take place at Newtown Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to pancreatic cancer research.

To leave an online condolence, visit honanfh.com.