ORANGE, MA – I, Patricia Leah Greenlaw Babbitt, write this, in life, not after I’m gone. I began in this life, as a foster child and with my sister, was raised in a wonderful home in Montague, Mass. by a wonderful foster mother “Gertie Mum Billings”. I was too young to remember electricity and running water just an old copper pump and the cleanest outhouse in town!
I attended the Montague Elementary School until it burned and finished grade school in Millers Falls (at the Highland School). I was a member of the grade school and high school band as a baton twirler and played basketball, graduating from Greenfield High School, Class of 1954.
Through the years, I was a Cub-Scout, Brownie leader, Sunday school teacher, sang in church choirs. I became a member, as a child, of the Montague Congregational Church, moving on to South Athol Methodist and lastly, North New Salem Congregational.
I’ve had many work-jobs, through the years, from a waitress, department store clerk, welder, assembler, nurse’s aide, activity assistant and director and most important a wife, mother of six children, grandmother of ten and great grandmother of eight!
I served and sang for years for the Athol Y.M.C.A, with my “bestest friend” ever, Frances “Prissy” Down of Boston.
I’ve lived in Alaska for the U.S. Air Force and also Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi, Tacoma, Washington, and also Ft. Dix in New Jersey.
I was married to the love of my life, Paul T. Babbitt, and we enjoyed many years together until his passing in 2014.
Pat was one of 5 siblings, her brothers Ronald Greenlaw, Jim Greenlaw, and Neil Greenlaw, and her sister Elizabeth Greenlaw Desautels all predeceased her but she leaves behind her children, Barry Turcer of California whom she is also predeceased by, Sharron Sibley of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Sheryl Woodford of Plymouth who she is also predeceased by, and John Turcer Jr. the 2nd of Florida, Paula Walker of Orange and Tricia Smith and her husband Andrew of Baldwinville. She also leaves behind her grandchildren: Kristin Simoa of TN and her sister Karri Tibon of CA, Brad Green Jr, Jen Woodford of Lowell, Mike Woodford of Plymouth, Bobbie Turcer and John Turcer Jr. the 3rd of Florida, Ashley Walker of Orange and Jesse Walker of Phillipston and Leah Smith Ma and her husband Colin of Andover. Pat had many great grandchildren and great, great grandchildren. She also leaves behind her Nieces Norma Desautels of ME and her niece Diane Simmons of CA. Please don’t grieve for me, as I’ve waited for this reunion with my “Lord”, for a long time.
I will miss you all, especially my beautiful sister in Arizona, and brother Jim in Kentucky, and all my dear, dear friends I’ve made through the years, especially Carol Van Lanen of Wisconsin of 58 years.
I pray I will see you all on the other side of the mountain. With love, Patricia Leah Greenlaw Babbitt.
There are no calling hours.
A celebration of Pat’s life will be held on June 20, 2026 at 1 p.m. at the Bethany Baptist Church, 72 Ryan Street, Gardner, with Pastor Ruben Cabrera officiating. Refreshments will follow.
Interment will be private at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon with her beloved husband Paul.
In lieu of flowers, please make online gifts in her memory of Patricia L. Babbitt to the Dementia Society of America: www.DementiaSociety.org/donate
Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes