Patricia A Viamonte

Patricia (Pat) Mercedes Viamonte, 68, passed away at her home in Sun City Center, Florida, on October 26, 2014, after an extended illness. Pat was the daughter of the late José and Ophelia Alvarez. Born in Cuba, Pat immigrated to Miami Beach at the age of 11, during the mass evacuation of Cuban children to the U.S. mainland in 1957. Pat attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received her bachelor’s degree in secondary education. She later moved to Rock Hill where she taught at Castle Heights Junior High School and Northwestern High School, and during that time she received her master’s degree from Winthrop University. After teaching for thirty years, Pat retired from Rock Hill Schools and then began teaching at Fort Mill High School where she continued to work until she and her husband, Dan Boyle, moved to Florida to pursue the ideal retirement of coastal living. During their years in Florida, Pat and Dan enjoyed spending time with friends and traveling to places throughout the world. In the years that Pat suffered, it was Dan who served as her caregiver to the very end. As well as by her husband, Pat is survived by her brother José Alverez (Sarah Thornett) of High Point, N.C. Also surviving her are children Michael Hayes of Charlotte, North Carolina; Erik Smith of Bluffton, South Carolina; Chandra Sigmund of Austin, Texas, and Tara Boyle of San Jose, California. Her two surviving grandchildren are Savanna Rose Smith of Dafuski, South Carolina, and Judah Sigmund of Austin, Texas. Pat is remembered by all who knew her as a person who relished the life experience. Whether she was teaching in the classroom or gathering together with friends, Pat saw every occasion as an adventure. Her former students as well as colleagues from her long career in teaching speak of Pat as a teacher with a great depth of knowledge and a passion for her chosen profession. Before her students, Pat became enlivened, passing on to the young people in her class her love for the Spanish language and her excitement of the experience of educating. Pat’s memory is cherished by her family and students, as well as her group of “girl friends” who became close through the years, forming a sisterhood born of walking together through the challenges and joys of life. This group made yearly trips to the beach and remained close in spite of the miles that separated them after Pat’s move to Florida. Perhaps the spirit of Pat Viamonte is best exemplified by the signature phrase that closed each of her correspondences: “If we couldn’t laugh, we would all go insane.” Zipperer’s Funeral Home in Ruskin, Florida, is serving the needs of the family. A celebration of Pat’s life will take place at a time and place yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers and cards, memorials may be made in her memory to the American Cancer Society.

Patricia A Viamonte

July 2, 1946 - October 26, 2014

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Patricia A Viamonte

July 2, 1946 - October 26, 2014

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