This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/13/2017 11:00 PMThe Associated Irish Societies will hold its Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade Ball at Anthony's Ocean View on Friday, February 24, 2017. On this evening, the 2017 Parade Grand Marshal, Clifford W. Lynch Jr. will be introduced and honored. Other award recipients include Porcini International, recipient of the James J. Dinnan Award; Dorinda K. Borer, recipient of the Cornelius Driscoll Award; and North Haven Resident, Patricia Judge Nester who has been chosen to received the 2017 Appreciation Award.
Patricia has been a member of the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee for more than 14 years. She was introduced to the committee by her dear friend and 2004 Past Grand Marshal, Eileen Sullivan Donadio. Pat has served on various fund-raising committees and she will tell you that she is most proud of her 11 years as the co-chairperson of the Annual Corned Beef Dinner that successfully raises funds for the Parade every year.
Pat was born and raised in New Haven. She attended both St. Mary's Grammar School and St. Mary's High School. Her paternal grandfather, Charles Patrick Judge was born in Corderry Peyton, County Leitrim. Her paternal grandmother, Ellen Harvey, was also born in Leitrim. They married upon their arrival in New Haven.
Patricia's father was a well-known Banjo player and could be heard playing with local Irish musicians in the New Haven area and on the local radio. Because her father and his fellow musicians practiced at her home, she grew up to the sounds of jigs, reels, and hornpipes. This, she says, formed her own interest in music. She is the oldest of 9 children and considers her siblings her dearest friends and each one a blessing.
Patricia worked in the Classified Advertising Department of the New Haven Register. It was there that she met her husband and 2011 Past Grand Marshal, Walter. Now married 60 years, they have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. While bringing up her children, she attended and graduated from Quinnipiac University's School of Nursing. Upon graduation, she was hired by Yale New Haven Hospital where she worked in various departments including 11 years in the Emergency Department. She retired from Yale and continued her nursing career at the Yale University Health Plan.
When not tending to parade matters, Pat turns to her favorite hobby, knitting. She plays piano and is a lector and minister of the Eucharist at St. Barnabas Parish in North Haven. She also volunteers at the Springs Learning Center for non-English, adult students.
In 2015 she was the recipient of the Archdiocesan St. Joseph medal of Appreciation and on Friday, February 24, at Anthony's Ocean View in New Haven, it is with great pleasure for the Associated Irish Societies to proudly present her with the Appreciation Award.