Former Providence City Councilor, Patricia K. Nolan passes at age 79

Patricia Katherine (Kenney) Nolan of Bristol, RI, formerly of Providence, RI and Massapequa, NY, died peacefully Monday evening, August 9 while receiving hospice care. Patricia was 79 years old.

Patricia was a beloved mother and grandmother, and found her passion as a public servant later in life. Outspoken, passionate, caring and a force to be reckoned with, she loved sharing her love of music, politics, and the arts with her family, friends, and constituents. She especially relished attending major Broadway Musical Productions with her children in Manhattan where she was employed by Eastman Kodak for over twenty Five Years.

Born in Bronx, New York to Catherine (Strempel) Kenney of Staten Island NY, and  Daniel Kenney of Columbus Ohio, Patricia moved her family from Massapequa, NY, to the Elmwood section of Providence, RI, in 1985. She made a new start in Providence for herself and her family, where she provided a home for her mother, Catherine Kenney, and continued to work for Eastman Kodak as a Regional Sales Representative in New England.

She cherished family get-togethers, especially hosting thanksgiving for lots of extended family in her Elmwood home, accommodating over 30 family members, and spanning multiple generations.

Patricia served as a member of the Providence City Council representing Ward 9 (Elmwood) for 12 years, serving from 1991--2001. She was known for her devotion to community service through her work on the Providence City Council, where she served as chair of the Finance and Ordinance Committees, as well as for her involvement with parish charities at St. Michael's Church.

It was at St. Michael's church on the Southside of Providence, where Patricia met Sister Anne

Keefe, who co-founded the Institute for the Practice & Study of Non-Violence. The Institute's mission is building a culture of nonviolence and becoming an international center of excellence for nonviolence training.

Patricia formed a strong friendship with Sister Anne, was an early advocate of the institute as well as one of the first graduates of non-violence training. Patricia also worked with Sister Anne to help launch and support Providence CityArts For Youth in the Heart of Elmwood. CityArts provides a safe place WHERE PROVIDENCE YOUTH EXPLORE, EXPRESS, AND SHOWCASE THEIR CREATIVE VOICES THROUGH FREE, QUALITY ARTS EDUCATION. The success of both the Nonviolence Institute and CityArts were among Patricia's most gratifying initiatives.

Patricia is survived by her three children, her eldest daughter Jane, and her husband Stephen Moskowski of Montauk, NY; her daughter, Katherine and her husband John Rabkevich of Mattituck, NY; and her son, Thomas M. Nolan and his Husband, Peter N. Bramante, of Tiverton, Rhode Island. She also leaves her grandchildren, John Moskowski of Montauk NY, James Rabkevich, of Mattituck, NY, and Nicholas Rabkevich, of Chesapeake, Virginia. Her dear sister Jeannie Jewett, passed away in 2015.

Calling hours will be held from 4-7 PM, August 18, at the Pocasset Memorial Funeral Home, 462 Main Road, Tiverton, RI.

A private prayer and burial service for family will be held at St. Patrick's Cemetery in Pascoag, RI where Patricia will be laid to rest in the family plot.

In lieu of flowers, the children of the deceased ask that donations be made to the following organizations:

1.    Non-Violence Institute: https://www.nonviolenceinstitute.org/support-us

2.    Providence City Arts: https://www.providencecityarts.org/funding

3.    Hope Health-Hospice Rhode Island: https://www.hopehealthco.org/ways-to-give/donatenow/