Patricia Lynn Archambault, passed away peacefully on Thursday March 4th surrounded by loved ones. She was 62 years old and best known as “Miss Patty ” and beloved in her role as a preschool teacher for 35 years at St. James Cathedral School in Orlando.
Patty is survived by her daughter Nicole Ertel, son-in- law Ian Ertel and beloved grandchildren Grayson (11), Jonah (8) and Riley (5). Nicole was Patty’s treasure and her grandchildren were the jewels of her life.
She was the youngest of 7 and had a jovial and connected relationship with all of her living siblings. She is survived by Greg Archambault, Suzette Miscally, Steve Archambault, Judy Chapman, and Dianne Sinclair. Preceding her in heaven is her brother John Archambault, mother Betty Archambault, and father Jerry Archambault.
Patty’s vocation as a preschool teacher was her life’s work. God uniquely gifted her to connect with any child and she never met a little kid she couldn’t make laugh. She especially had a fondness for the wild ones. Her unpretentious nature and talent in connection made her a local celebrity of sorts. When attending public events, she was often greeted with multiple upon multiple families with whom she had cultivated meaningful relationships. Her legacy in the St. James and the Downtown YMCA communities will forever be “Miss Patty”, the hilarious lady with crutches that was a friend you could always talk to.
This ability to see the uniqueness in each child was amplified with her grandchildren. She relished in her role as a doting grandmother and saw their individual character and talents with ease. She loved them simply for who they are. She also saw the potential for greatness in each of them and dreamed big of their futures alongside them, like no one else. Her not seeing those futures in person is the greatest loss of her passing.
Known as a woman that was always able to speak her mind, there was an ever-present warm heart and trustworthiness from her incapability of lying. She had a great sense of humor and was always able to laugh at herself. There was a simplicity but also a great depth in her love of others, and her light in this world will be greatly missed.
Services will be held at St. James Cathedral Church on Friday April 26, at 9:50 a.m. followed by a funeral service at 10:00 a.m.
