Patty A. (Harkcom) Harkcom

Patty Ann Harkcom passed away peacefully on February 25, 2024, after a valiant battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Patty was born on March 20, 1946 in Meyersdale PA. She was proceeded in death by her parents, Percy Harkcom and Sadie (Smearman) Harkcom as well as a special friend, William (Bill) Turner.
Patty was a graduate of Meyersdale Area High School, class of 1964, where she was a member of the district area band, the Honor Society, the dramatics club, and was school press-club president.
Patty graduated from Radiology Technology School in Somerset PA where she obtained a certificate as an American Registry Radiology Technologist in 1969. She worked as an x-ray tech starting at Sacred Heart Hospital/Western Western Health System in Cumberland Md, retiring after 45 years in 2014 from the Central Scheduling Department. Patty was a lifelong member of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Meyersdale, PA. She enjoyed NFL football, especially the Steelers, and she could be seen tossing around her "terrible towel"! In her earlier years, she could be seen cruising around town on her dad's motorcycle. Early on, she enjoyed weightlifting. She especially loved rock 'n' roll music, especially AC/DC and Queen. Patty and her mother enjoyed classic black-and-white mystery movies, especially Agatha Christie ones. She enjoyed traveling, especially her trips to Disney World. She loved Chick-fil-A and anything chocolate with peanut butter, reading and spending time on her iPad. She also enjoyed going out to dinner, shopping and traveling to various areas looking at the fall leaves, all with her friend for life, Sherri. Patty and Sherri always lovingly joked about Patty's OCD ways and the fact that she never wanted to throw away anything. Several months ago, when Patty had to move from her apartment of 40+ years due to health problems, Sherri (alone) spent day and night, cleaning it out and finding receipts stacked very neatly, dating back to 1980. She even neatly folded her empty Chick-fil-A bags and stacked them alongside her wall. Nothing in her apartment was messy, her OCD ways made sure of that ha ha!
Everyone that knew Patty, knew that she was a loner. Being an only child and losing any family that she had early on, she didn't mind having the few close friends that she had.
Due to her recent declining health, she was forced to leave her home of 40 yrs, where she lived alone and relocated to the Chamberlain Graceful Assisted-Living Center in Cumberland, where she was so lovingly treated for the past 3 months by their wonderful staff, especially her angel-on-earth, Sara Painter, who made her feel so loved.
Patty's entire family had all proceeded her in death many years ago, but she found a bonus family with Sherri's.
She is lovingly survived by her best friend, Sherri Paskowski and Sherri's husband Dave. During the times that Sherri couldn't be there, Dave spent many hours sitting alongside her, talking politics and Steelers, making sure that she didn't feel alone. Patty is also survived by Sherri's children and grandchildren, Seth and Jewel Bernard, (Kennedy and Coen), Adam and Megan Bernard, (Adalyn and Ayla). Her eyes, especially lit up when her bonus grandchildren would walk in! Sherri and her family would like to express their immense gratitude to both the staff at Chamberlain and also to the exceptional high-level care staff at UPMC, for their compassion and dedication. Special thanks also go out to Chaplin Rusty Kitzmiller for his loving prayers and words during this past week, who cried along with us. Patty especially loved the beautiful poems that you read to her, written by your wonderful mother.
Patty's final 4 days were spent at UPMC with her best friend Sherri, who promised her that she would never leave her side, which she so faithfully did, sleeping on the bedside sofa, holding her hand. Less than 5 hours before she passed, she wanted a picture with Sherri, even asking if she had lipstick that she could put on for the picture. During Patty's final hours, Sherri laid alongside her in bed until the moment that she took her final breath, handing her over to her awaiting parents. She sadly passed peacefully in Sherri's arms at 12:42 AM.
Patty, I'll never forget you and the special friendship that we shared for so many years and I am so happy that I have that last picture of us together. I know you didn't have a family of your own and I always hope that you felt like you were a part of ours. I don't think you realized just how many people loved and respected you. I will miss you my sweet friend and I'll keep you alive in my heart forever. You said you'll be my forever guardian angel and I will be anxiously awaiting for those signs. I love you. God speed my beautiful Patty. You were so loved.
A viewing will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Friday at Zion Lutheran Church, Meyersdale. Funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday following the viewing. Rev. Glenn P. Foster officiating. Interment Meyersdale Area Union Cemetery.
Price Funeral Service, Inc., Meyersdale is honored to serve the family.
(www.WilliamRowePrice.com)

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