Patricia Sexton Scola died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 at the age of 80. Patricia was a devoted wife, supportive and loving mother, doting grandmother, good sister and dear friend. Her family and friends will remember her for her wry sense of humor, her laughter, and her optimism. 

Patricia was born in Saratoga Springs, NY to John Sexton and Mildred (Reardon) Sexton. She was named a Ford Scholar attending Goucher College after sophomore year of high school and graduated from Goucher College at the age of 19. She then received her degree in medicine from Boston University School of Medicine where she met her future husband Francis Hugh Scola. She also received a Masters degree in public health at Harvard University. Patricia married Francis in April 1962 and remained married for 55 years. When her husband was drafted in 1968 and stationed in Seoul, Korea, she joined him overseas and worked as a pediatrician at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital in Seoul.  

Patricia lived in Barrington, where she and Francis raised their four children Fran, Kim, Elisa and Christina.  Patricia was a pediatrician specializing in special needs children at the Child Development Center of Rhode Island Hospital for 35 years and in her last years she served as acting head. Patricia donated her time as a physician in month long assignments to hospitals in Jirapa, Ghana; Azogues, Ecuador; and Georgetown, Guyana. She had also served on the boards of both the Women’s Center of RI and Harmony Hill. She was an accomplished and talented person who touched the lives of so many disadvantaged and physically disabled children and helped families cope with all the hardships involved.

Patricia was a talented knitter, accomplished rug hooker, world traveller, and avid reader. In her retirement she wrote a cook book and studied Italian. She and Francis spent many of their retirement years in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands where they were active members of the Ha’Penny Club. Patricia spent each August in Stonehurst, Nova Scotia surrounded by her grandchildren and where she was a member of the Lunenburg Yacht Club.

Patricia is survived by her husband, Dr. Francis Hugh Scola, her son Francis Hugh III, her son Kim John Sigmund, her daughter Elisa Jennings and son-in-law Charles Pak, her daughter Christina Myung Hi and son-in-law Alan Tang; and her grandchildren Francesca, Vincent, Robie, Julia, and Patricia. She is also survived by her sister Elizabeth Weiss and brother-in-law David Weiss, her sister Meghan O’Neill, her sister-in-law Diane Scola, her sister-in-law Jane Scola and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents John and Mildred Sexton and her brother Jack Sexton.

Patricia’s funeral and burial will be private. Memorial gifts, if any, may be made to The Scola Family Fund at Brown University, Office of Planned Giving, Box 1893, Providence, RI 02912. Please visit smithmason.com for online condolences.