Obituary of Patricia R. Kellam

Patricia R Kellam, 92 years old, passed away peacefully on September 3rd, 2022 in Schenectady, NY. Born in Buffalo, NY March 18th, 1930. Daughter of the late Francis T. Roach and the late Eleanor Hurley Roach. A 1947 graduate of Nott Terrace High School, Schenectady, NY and a 1949 graduate of Edgewood Park in Briarcliff Manor, NY where she was President of her class and Vice President of the Student Council. Beginning in the 1950's and throughout her life, Patty was a member of Saint Helen's Church, now known as the parish of Kateri Tekakwitha. Patty loved taking care of her family, gardening, interior decorating, and skiing, but her true passion and calling was golf. She had a great love of the game, the skill, the sportsmanship and the traditions. She began caddying and playing as a young girl at the Inlet Golf Club, becoming a three-time club champion. The many lifelong friends Patty and Lynn formed through golf were priceless and Patty continued to play and participate in all things golf her entire life after Lynn died of cancer in 1986. Patty was a lifelong member of Mohawk Golf Club, beginning in 1956 up until her death. A 12 time Ladies Club Champion, Mixed Champion 9 times and a past member of the Greens Committee. She contributed to many golf events in the northeast as a member of the Sectional Affairs Committee of the NYS Golf Association and was a former President of the Northeastern Women's Golf Association. As a founder and past President of Mohawk Hills Garden Club, for many years Patty brought her skills to MGC by organizing a group of women to plant and care for spring flowers at the golf course as well as designing and installing the pine and floral Christmas decorations inside. In the 1980's, Patty and Lynn would spend parts of winters down south as members of Moss Creek Golf Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina After Lynn died the lure of more winter-time golf beckoned. Always supporting the future of the game, Patty was a member of the Carolinas Golf Association, the Hilton Head Women's Golf Association, and participated in numerous Low Country Team matches. She remained a member of Moss Creek Golf Club until 2016. Predeceased by her husband J. Lynn Kellam, her brothers F. Thomas Roach of Menands, NY and 1st Lt. James E Roach, and her sisters Eileen M Stemm and Eleanor F. Kerley. Survived by her daughters Elizabeth A. Kellam of Honolulu, Hawaii and Janet K. Kellam (Andy) of Ketchum, Idaho, and eleven nieces and nephews. She was a great aunt and a great, great aunt to many nieces and nephews. The funeral service is to be held at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1803 Union Street, Niskayuna on Monday, September 12th at 9:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, 2501 Troy Road. Visitation will be the evening before on Sunday, September 11th from 5 to 7 p.m. at Daly Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St. Schenectady, NY. Memorial Donations may be made to: The Siena College 1st Lt. James E. Roach Scholarship Fund in Loudonville, NY and to the Foundation for Ellis Medicine in Schenectady, NY. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Kingsway Arms and the Terrace at Glen Eddy for all their kindness and support for Patty during her last years.