Patricia Sullivan Suits Ellison

Patricia Sullivan Suits Ellison

Age 93, of Watkins Glen, NY and wife of the late Hon. William N. Ellison Supreme Court Judge, passed away on February 16, 2021.

The family will receive friends at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, on Friday (Feb. 26th) from 6pm-8pm. A private funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s of the Lake Church; and burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Pat was predeceased by her husband and parents Harry J and Mary Grace Sullivan Suits, two sisters, Helen Dwyer and Mary Grace Suits, two brothers William J. Suits and Harry J. Suits, a sister-in-law Joanne D. Suits, and brother-in-law Delevan Augie Gates of Vestal, NY.

Pat, a graduate of Watkins Glen School received her Bachelor degree in Business and Economics at Nazareth College and immediately became Schuyler County Surrogates Court Clerk, Court Reporter and Grand Jury Stenographer, while her husband attended Cornell Law School.

Pat and Bill are survived by their four children Harry A. (Melissa), William Jr. (Diane), Mary Patricia (Marie), and Anne (Jefferey) Snelling, and grandchildren Zachary and Rory Ellison; Ellen, Mark (Sinead), and Michael Ellison; and Abigail and Hannah Snelling. Pat is also survived by a sister Helen S. Gates of Vestal, and a brother Frank H. Suits of Cortland. Her dear friends Phillip (Mary) Barnes and Ken Wilson. Pat was grateful for the assistance of her trusted aides.

Pat was one of the founders of Schuyler County League of Women Voters; instrumental in formation of the first Schuyler County Mental Health Clinics and has served for 40 years on mental health related state and community boards as well as the United Way, Chemung-Schuyler chapter of American Red Cross, Schuyler County ARC and devoted time and fund raising effort to St. Mary’s of the Lake Church and Schuyler Hospital, Watkins Glen Library and Motor Racing Library. Pat co-authored a hard cover book with Jean S. Argetsinger, entitled 150 Years Families of St. Mary’s of the Lake.

Pat has received many awards from state and local boards as well as the New York State Division for Women award for “Women who make a Difference”. The “Citizen of the Year'' by the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce. and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow from Rotary Club for her volunteerism and work in Mental Health. Pat however felt her finest accomplishments were to assist her husband in his many endeavors and in her four children and grandchildren.

Please send any donations to St. Mary’s of the Lake Church.