Patricia Mary (Delfino) Bachman

If you knew Patricia Bachman, then you were surely blessed by her warm heart, her never ending care for others and her strong, dedicated spirit. Her curiosity, love of learning and gift for finding the best in everyone endeared her to so many.

Patricia Mary (Delfino) Bachman, 57, of Palmyra, PA passed away on October 21st, after a 17 year fight with breast cancer. Pat was born in White Plains, NY, May 20, 1959, a daughter of Joseph C. and Estelle A. (Malara) Delfino of Naples FL, who survive. Also surviving are her husband Oren Bachman of Palmyra PA, to whom she was married 33 years, son Peter W. of Morgan Hill, CA, daughter Sarah E. of New York, NY, and son Jacob M. of Pittsburgh, PA. She was preceded in death by an infant son, David N. in 1987.

She also leaves behind her siblings - Nancy C.(Peter) Tucci, Mamaroneck, NY, Carol C. Delfino of Pittsburgh, PA, and Louis J.(Mary) Delfino, John’s Creek, GA, sisters in-law, Jacqueline K. Bachman (Andrew Horner), Northeast Harbor, ME, Sydney J. Bachman (Michael Barclay), New York, NY, and brother-in-law K. Michael (Kelly) Bachman, Jonestown, PA, along with a large extended family of nephews, nieces and cousins. She will also be sadly missed by her Labrador retriever, Spud.

Pat retired June 2016 as principal at Pine Street Elementary School in Palmyra. Prior to that, Pat served as Assistant Principal and special education teacher at Northside Elementary in Palmyra and as a special education teacher in Middletown, PA, Lockport, NY and Albion, NY. While raising her children, Pat tutored children in her home. She dedicated her professional life to public education, assisting teachers in methods development, and assuring that all children receive the best primary education possible.

Pat’s interest in special needs children was kindled in high school when she volunteered summers at the Mamaroneck Co-op Camp for special needs children. She graduated from Rye-Neck High School, Mamaroneck, NY and was class salutatorian in 1977. She continued her studies in elementary and special education at State University of New York at Geneseo and graduated with honors in 1981. While attending Geneseo, she volunteered at the Genesee Valley Rotary Camp for severely handicapped children in Pike, NY. After moving to PA with her husband, Pat obtained a reading specialist certificate from Penn State and a Master’s Degree in Administration from Wilkes University, all accomplished while raising her family and teaching.

Pat belonged to First United Methodist Church of Palmyra where she previously was Sunday School coordinator, Sunday School teacher and handbell choir member. Other memberships included many professional education associations and the Palmyra Kiwanis Club where she actively participated in charitable activities.

Travel was one of Pat’s favorite pastimes. Her favorite trip was in 2013 to visit her grandfather’s birthplace in Ofena, Italy in the remote Gran Sasso Mountains of Abruzzi. Other favorite destinations included visiting her children in NY and CA and relatives in Maine, Florida and Martha’s Vineyard. Pat played piano and folk guitar and especially enjoyed listening to jazz, folk, and classic rock. She will most be remembered for welcoming friends and relatives to her home. She was the consummate do-it-yourself homemaker who enjoyed photography, gardening, sewing, canning, cooking and baking family favorite recipes. She loved weekend getaways shopping with Sarah and outdoor activities with Oren.

A celebration of life will be held Sunday November 6th at 2pm at Trinity United Church of Christ, 40 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA 17078 with Rev. Julia A. Beall and Rev. Richard F. Luciotti officiating. Family and friends are invited for visitation from noon until time of the service at the church. Burial will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements handled by Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to an endowment supporting the elementary summer reading program in Palmyra Schools that Pat started with her Pine Street colleagues. Tax deductible contributions to the fund, which has been renamed Pat’s C.U.B.s/Palmyra Area School District in her memory, can be sent to Darcy Brenner-Smith, Palmyra School District Office, 1125 Park Drive, Palmyra PA 17078.  Condolences and memories may be shared at www.rothermelfuneralhome.com

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