07/12/2025
Patricia Ann Clark Shipman, 92, passed away at Elderwood Memory Care Unit surrounded by her family on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Patricia was born on October 18, 1932 to Aloysius Stephen Clark and Laura Mallory Clark, Laura a nurse, had contracted tuberculosis from the returning WWI soldiers, and subsequently passed away when Patty was 2 ½ years old. She was raised by her father with the help of the loving farming community neighbors and they became inseparable. He instilled a strong faith, sense of work ethic, as well as laughter. In Patty’s senior year, her father passed away suddenly on January 24, 1950 while she was just 17, leaving her with farm land and dairy cattle. She graduated from Waverly High School in June of 1950. Her dad’s family wanted her to live with them in Liberty New York, where her dad’s family immigrated from Ireland, but she chose the farm her dad loved so much. On her 18th birthday at the Sayre-Waverly football game, the love of her life, Stephen E. Shipman asked her to marry him. Ed and Pat were married a month later on November 18, 1950 at St. James in Waverly. They made their home at 711 Ellis Creek Road where the Clark Farm became the Shipman Farm. Ed and Pat actively farmed until 1971. They were married 70 years until his passing in 2021. After farming, Pat worked briefly at the Tioga General Hospital, Ryan’s Grocery, and became Deputy Town Clerk in the Town of Barton working under Alsie Kellogg, Town Clerk. When Alsie retired, Pat was elected to the Town Clerk position which she held for 18 years. After retirement from the Town, she became an election poll worker for Tioga County. Summers for 30 years were at a retreat on Mormon Lake where they hosted many BBQs which always included beer, for family and friends. Traveling began. Sightseeing across the U.S. to the California Coast, Las Vegas, Round Rock, many deep-sea fishing trips, Alaskan cruise, cruising to Eastern and Western Caribbean, and internationally to Ireland twice, where she developed her taste for Guinness. Pat and Ed became snowbirds spending 20 winters in the Sunshine State meeting new people, becoming steadfast friends. They enjoyed many coffee hours, playing cards, rodeos and baseball games.
Pat was a member of the Waverly American Legion Auxiliary Post 492, which she proudly joined under her father’s WWI service, and was better known as the “General” and that title followed her to the VFW which she was also a lifetime member of the Waverly VFW Auxiliary Post #8104. As a young girl, she joined the North Barton Grange #45 and was a lifetime member, celebrating a 80 year membership. She was also a lifetime member of the Woman of the Moose #1490, joining in 1968. Pat was very community minded and was involved with the Waverly Bicentennial Celebration in 2004. Those who knew her say she had an opinion and usually had the last word.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Marcia (Joseph) Murray, sons, Aloysius (Tammy Hebert) Shipman, Daniel (Cindy) Shipman, Curtis (Donna) Shipman; grandchildren, Brian Fraley, Lindsay (Billy) Mariani, Jacqueline (Josh) Taylor, Jeffrey (Amanda) Shipman, Aaron (Casey) Shipman, Ashley Shipman, Abbey Shipman, Marley Shipman and Paul Franks IV (Len); great grandchildren, who called her Big Grandma are Elizabeth and Logan, Elena and Declan, Jaden and Brielle. Special friends who will miss her dearly are June Satterly, Suzanne Condame, Sharon Lovell and Mary Simmons.
She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Ed; her daughter-in-law, Valerie Shipman; numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from Ed’s family.
A special thanks to the Memory Care Unit, especially Brandy, Melissa, Randi, Ali, Jamsai, Patsy and Jodi for their concern, help, love and conversation and the best care a patient could receive.
A time of calling will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 from 4 to 6 PM at Blauvelt Funeral Home, 625 Broad Street, Waverly, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St. James Church, 503 Clark Street, Waverly, New York and burial to follow at Barton Center Cemetery on Drake Road in Barton, New York. Those wishing to send a message of remembrance to Pat’s family may visit our page or at www.blauveltfuneralhome.com
