GRISWOLD, CT — Patricia Martinell, 78, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Friday, May 23, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, friend and woman of deep faith. Born in Meriden, CT on June 18, 1946, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Lube (Petrochko) Meehan and graduated from Maloney high school. She lived in Meriden until moving to Griswold, CT in 2004.
Patty was the office manager at a dermatologist’s office in Meriden before retiring to the lake. She was a charter member of the Columbiettes at St. Mary’s Church in Jewett City. Her commitment to service inspired others to join her packing shoeboxes for people experiencing homelessness, serving at the food pantry, and participating in the Annual Christmas bazaar; for which she chaired the craft tables, crocheted countless baby blankets over the years and encouraged others to share their homemade crafts.
She is survived by her husband Joe, who were sweethearts throughout high school and married for 57 years, her daughter Lisa and her son David. She warmly welcomed her children’s spouses, Daphne and Erin into the family and was thrilled to become a grandmother at the birth of her granddaughter Ava. She is also survived by her brother James Meehan and his wife Mary, her brother-in-law James Martinell and his wife Nancy, her nieces, nephews and numerous life-long friends whose lives have been touched by her loving and generous spirit.
She and Joe spent winters at King’s Point, Florida where they enjoyed the company of friends playing cards, dancing, dining out and attending concerts.
Patty will be remembered for her joy at living near and seeing “diamonds” when the sun danced on the water, her reminder to us to always be kind, her delight in having a house filled with friends and family, her courage and fierceness as she lived with cancer, and her faith in God and love of the Virgin Mary, which sustained her through her final days.
The funeral will be held on Saturday May 31st at noon at St. Mary’s Church, 34 North Main St, Jewett City. Family and friends may call at the Griswold Funeral Home, 30 North Main Street before Mass from 10:00 am to 11:45 am. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church or St. Jude Children Research Hospital’s website at stjude.org