SOUTHWICK — Patr
icia Lillian “Patti” Scibelli-Mendes, aged 61, died early Friday morning, July 3, 2020. She passed away peacefully at her home in Southwick, surrounded by family, after a short battle with metastatic lung cancer.
Patti was born June 28, 1959 to Lillian (Paro) and George Scibelli. A lifelong resident of Southwick and communicant at Our Lady of the Lake Church, she was a manager at the Scibelli’s Mobil gas station for over 30 years. Before joining her brother at the Mobil station, she followed in her father’s footsteps and did custom butchering for 10 years. Animals were a major constant in Patti’s life, with many horses, goats, chickens, cats, and dogs over the years. Her meticulous care for them was an inspiration to others.
She was predeceased by her parents and grandparents. Patti is survived by her husband of 24 years, Joseph J. Mendes; their son, Joseph G. Mendes; and her two older brothers, John Scibelli of Lebanon, N.H., and Daniel Scibelli and wife Barbara Jean of Southwick. Other survivors include two maternal aunts, Edna Shibley of West Springfield and Lorraine Paro of Agawam; her mother-in-law, Rose Berry of Feeding Hills; her father-in-law, Joseph B. Mendes and wife Tahnia of Lady Lake, Fla.; six brothers-in-law: Thomas Mendes of Aruba; Steven Mendes of Agawam; Michael Mendes and wife Tania of Weston, Fla.; Kevin Berry of Springfield; Christopher Berry and wife Holly of East Longmeadow; and Matthew Berry and wife Swa of Whittier, N.C.; ten nephews: Christopher, Gregory, Steven, Jack, Nick, Christopher, Gabriel, Keller, Sanders, and Jake; three nieces: Elizabeth, Julia, and Abigail; two grandnieces, Lauren and Katie; and countless other cousins, relatives, and friends. All who knew Patti will miss her warmth, her compassion, and her selflessness.
Her family would like to thank the wonderful staff of Wesson 4, the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, and Baystate Hospice, especially nurses Amy and Ron, Rick from the RRT, and Dr. Sudeep Siddappa Malleshappa from the D’Amour Center, as well as devoted helpers Rose Berry, Donna Hiorns, Kim Maynard, Heidi Falcetti, and Carl Baldasaro. Memorial donations in Patti’s memory may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Calling hours are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, at Southwick Forastiere Funeral Home, 624 College Highway, Southwick, MA. The following day, after meeting at the funeral parlor at 8:45 a.m., the traditional sung Requiem Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 8, at Our Lady of the Lake Church, followed by burial in New Cemetery in Southwick. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, seating in the church is limited to 70 people. The funeral parlor will advise once the limit is reached. www.forastiere.com
