Patrice Helene Marie Hammitt

Patrice Helene Marie Hammitt (nee Yondo), 78, was welcomed into her Heavenly Father’s arms on June 25, 2022. She passed away peacefully at home in Kings Mountain, North Carolina after a lengthy and courageous journey with cancer. Patrice was born on February 20, 1944 in Cleveland, Ohio to Géza and Helen Yondo. Her brothers Gilbert and Donald were so excited to have a sister. In fact, Donald ran all the way to the hospital to insist his mother give his baby sister the name of his favorite teacher, Sr. Mary “Patrice”. Patrice lived in Cleveland until the age of ten when she and her parents moved to Newbury.

At the age of 11, Patrice met the love of her life, Richard Hammitt. Patrice would often tell the story of seeing Richard walking down the road with a bow and arrow on his shoulder and his ball cap turned sideways. After the two said hello and exchanged names, Patrice turned to her cousin and confidently exclaimed, “I’m going to marry that man someday!” Patrice was an amazing singer and enjoyed her three-part harmony a cappella group, The Plaidtones. She moved back to Cleveland and graduated from Jane Addams High School in 1962. She completed training and obtained her license as a hairdresser. Throughout high school and into early adulthood, Patrice spent substantial time with her brothers’ children. She was instrumental in their lives and loved to share stories of her beloved nieces and nephews. Patrice kept her promise and married Richard on February 19, 1966. Together, they had four children, Scott, Shelley, Sally and Sandra. Patrice lived an incredibly rich life.

Throughout her life, she worked and loved hard. She was a hairstylist, a bartender and a cook. She worked at a deli and cleaned houses. She volunteered her time cooking, serving and running Bingo at St. Mary’s Parish in Chardon. Patrice loved to entertain, in fact, she and her husband threw some of the best parties in their log home on Butternut Road. Patrice loved to garden and could identify any plant, flower or tree she encountered. She had the most extraordinary green thumb, and every garden she touched blossomed with beauty. Patrice loved to decorate and craft. She would often share her talents by gifting those she loved with handmade treasures. She loved playing cards and dice, listening to music, playing the alphabet game to pass the time during car rides and watching movies.

Patrice was a loving caregiver for both her mother and mother-in-law. She was a devoted Catholic and often prayed the rosary with her husband. She loved her beautiful collection of rosaries. Patrice loved her family and friends fiercely and always went out of her way to make others feel special. In fact, she taught countless people the true meaning of unconditional friendship and love. She was a loyal and trusted confidant to many. Patrice loved being a wife, a mother, a Nana to her grandchildren, and an aunt to her “Babes and her Babes’ Babes.” She loved to listen and give advice. Patrice could spend hours talking on the phone to her family and friends. She shared her wisdom and support during those calls with many loved ones while they drove long hours and engaged in ironing and other household chores. Somehow the time passed so quickly and effortlessly with Patrice on those countless calls. She always knew exactly what to say and made everyone she talked to feel like they were the most important person in the world. Patrice had the most amazing laugh- it was the kind of laugh that painted happiness and ignited the spirit and soul.

Patrice is survived by her beloved husband of 56 years, best friend and faithful caregiver, Richard. She was the loving mother of their children Scott (Dee DeSantis), Shelley Mazza (husband Domenic Jr.), Sally (wife Elizabeth Brett) and has been joyously reunited with baby Sandra. She was a devoted grandmother to Alyssa and Domenic Mazza III, Kevin and Rachel Hammitt and Olivia Hammitt-Wight; cherished daughter of the late  Géza and Helen (nee Hegedish) Yondo; a treasured sister to the late Gilbert Yondo (wife Mary, deceased) and Donald Yondo (wife Shirley); endeared daughter-in-law of the late James and Virginia Hammitt; dearest sister-in-law of the late Glen, Sr and Nancy Hammitt and Janice and Ray Diedrich; dear special friend of Dennis and Irma Prots and the late Jim and Sandra Rockafellow and Dan Pavlick; Patrice was loved deeply by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please do something kind for someone, plant a tree or perennials and think of Patrice while enjoying the beauty for years to come, or consider donating to the PAN Foundation in Patrice Hammitt’s memory.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday July 8, 2022 at 11:30AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 401 North St, Chardon, Ohio 44024 with burial to follow at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon, Ohio. The family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Patrice at THE CHURCH FRIDAY MORNING JULY 8, from 10:00-11:30AM.

Until we meet again, “God love your hearts, and I Ya Ya!”

Arrangements by DeJOHN Funeral Home & Crematory of Chardon (formerly Ritondaro).

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