Patricia "Patty" (Sykes) Oksanen

The family of Patricia Oksanen is saddened to share the news of her recent passing at the age of 89. Patricia Sykes was born in Branford, Connecticut on January 9, 1936, the oldest of 3 children born to Charlotte and Herb (“Pat”) Sykes. The Sykes family was raised in the idyllic seaside community of Branford with her younger siblings Michael and Charlotte.  Patty did well in school and had an outgoing and infectious personality.  When asked about these times, she would sigh and admit that she was very popular!  She was involved in many high school and college social activities including being a class officer, head cheerleader, plays, sports and glee club.After graduating from Branford High School, she attended Dean College,where she met her future husband, Bill Oksanen.After graduation, they married and she moved from her beloved Connecticut to Ashburnham, Mass where Bill would join the family business in Fitchburg.

Raising four children in the 60’s was a full-time commitment, but Pat and Bill managed to enjoy an avid social life with close friends, including parties, traveling and trips into Boston to see the Symphony, the Pops or various museums.  Mom attended every school event and jumped right into all activities as a girl Scout leader, cheer mom, and CCD teacher at St. Camillus.  Summers were spent with friends, family and visitors at Billy Ward Pond in Ashburnham. Winters were spent at Mt. Watatic Ski Area where she was a member of the Ski Club. 

She worked for many years at Workers Credit Union.  Later in life her greatest joy washer growing family, gardening and traveling abroad.  She was incredibly proud of her 23-year career working and volunteering as a docent at the Fitchburg Art Museum. She especially enjoyed giving tours to school children showcasing the Egyptian exhibits.  Patty spent her final years living at the Gables in Fitchburg and enjoyed many social activities there including movie nights, concerts and bingo with friends.  As in her youth, she would find ways to tell her family how busy and popular she was!  Her family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff at the Gables of Fitchburg, Encompass Home Care visiting nurses and physical therapists, the Ascend Hospice team, the French Connection providers and her caregiver and friend Debra Phillips.

She leaves her daughter Beth Sullivan and Gary LaBell of Princeton, Massachusetts, son Thomas and Tish Oksanen of Sudbury, Massachusetts and daughter Ann and Bob Wilkins of Big Fork, Montana. Her grandchildren provided great joy, Kara (Sullivan) Keating and Alyssa Sullivan; Lily (Oksanen) McCabe and Abby Oksanen: Jared and Adam Rumley; great-grandchildren Addison and Carter Keating and her nephew Sam Hill and niece Bridgette Hill, both of Toronto, Canada. She was predeceased by her loving husband William Oksanen, her son Peter Oksanen and her siblings Michael and Charlotte Sykes-Hill.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Fitchburg Art Museum in Patricia’s memory (https://fitchburgartmuseum.org/donations-main/).  Burial and a memorial will be private.