Patricia Mary Messing

Patricia Mary Messing, 78, passed away peacefully at her home on May 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Born on March 13, 1948, in Passaic, New Jersey, Pat was the daughter of the late Louis and Eleanor Slanina. She grew up in Clifton, New Jersey, and graduated from Clifton High School in 1966. She went on to attend Newark State Teachers College, earning her degree in 1970. Pat later received her Master's Degree in Secondary Education from SUNY Albany and became an enthusiastic and beloved Spanish teacher. She was known for bringing energy, humor, and compassion into the classroom during her 23-year career at Ballston Spa Middle School.

In 1969, Pat married her college sweetheart, Steven Messing. Military life took the young couple overseas to Madrid, Spain, where they lived for three years and welcomed their two daughters, Heather and Allison. While living in Spain, they cultivated a deep appreciation for travel, food, and wine. Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Clifton, New Jersey, where their son, Sean, was born.

In 1979, the family moved to upstate New York, making their home in Clifton Park, where they built a life together and created countless cherished memories, including many summers spent at their beloved lake house on Galway Lake.

Pat retired from teaching in 2010 and embraced retirement with enthusiasm, wintering in North Port, Florida, where she became an avid golfer, lovingly knitted many baby blankets, reading and enjoyed time spent socializing with friends. Above all, she found her greatest happiness in time with her children and grandchildren, creating cherished family traditions such as pierogi making, that will be remembered for years to come.

Patricia is survived by her beloved husband, Steve Messing; her children, Heather Messing-Billington (Dan Billington), Allison Messing-Smitkin, and Sean Messing (Jenny Earnshaw); and her six cherished grandchildren, Mackenna, Chase, Lucas, Hadley, Bowie and Mads. She is also survived by her dear brothers and sisters, Joan, Louis, Marlene, Johnny, and Tom, as well as many loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Pat will be remembered for her infectious sense of humor, love of life, vibrant nature and the deep love she shared with family and friends. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind, and her legacy of kindness and laughter will remain.  She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.

Pat’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated team of caregivers who provided Pat with such compassionate care during her final year. Their loving support meant more than words can express and will always be deeply appreciated.

Calling hours will be held for family and friends wishing to pay their respects from 4PM- 6PM on Thursday, June 4th, 2026 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Ave. (Rte 9 and/or Marion Ave.), Saratoga Springs, NY.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM at the Saratoga Winery, 462 NY-29 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, all are welcome.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Saratoga Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 in honor of Pat’s memory.

For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.