Patricia Valles-Mangan

Patricia Valles Mangan, 61, of Great Kills died at home on March 10, 2017.
A native Staten Islander born to Martin and Carmela Kern in Port Richmond, Ms. Valles Mangan was a graduate of St. Mary of the Assumption School, Port Richmond, and Countess Moore High School, Bulls Head. She received a bachelor of science degree in psychology and sociology and a Master of Education degree in special education, both from St. John's University, Grymes Hill.
A tireless advocate for children with special needs, Ms. Valles Mangan spent the early years of her career as a teacher at the Eden II School, a vocational evaluator at the Association for Children with Retarded Mental Development and, later, as a group home supervisor with Mount Loretto. Ms. Valles Mangan then went on to enjoy 20 successful years as a special-education teacher with the NYC Dept. of Education. She left an indelible mark in the lives of children in several Island schools, including the Hungerford School, Clifton; IS 34, Tottenville, and PS 69, New Springville, from which she retired in 2008.
A free spirit with a witty sense of humor and contagious smile, a fierce sense of loyalty and compassion, and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about nutrition and medicine, Ms. Valles Mangan spent much of her adult life studying world religions and spiritual paths. She radiated love and positivity and used her gifts to touch the lives of others in need.
Ms. Valles Mangan was a true nature-lover and environmentalist who enjoyed meditating, hiking through the woods and capturing the vast beauty of the world with her camera. Outside of exploring little-known trails across the borough, some of her favorite vacation spots included Florida, Arizona, California, Alaska and Ireland. Ms. Valles Mangan was also an avid reader of self-help books and crime novels, a brilliant writer and watercolor artist and a talented cook who delighted in making healthy meals. She loved animals, movies, playing Scrabble, tending to her Zen garden, decorating her home for the holidays and listening to music, particularly rock, jazz and New age/classical.
Her deepest passion, however, was loving her close-knit family with a full and generous heart, particularly her beloved one year old grandson, Robert Thomas Alfaro.
In addition to her grandson, Ms. Valles Mangan is survived by her daughter, Tamara J. Alfaro, her son-in- law, Stephen M., and her partner, Robert Shanahan.
She was predeceased in death by her husbands, Robert P. Valles and Gerard M. Mangan, as well as by her brother, Joseph M. Kern.
Friends will be received on Wednesday at the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A service will take place at 8 p.m. Private cremation to follow.

Services: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, March 15, 2017 8:00PM

Visitation: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home Wednesday, March 15, 2017 2-4 & 7-9PM

Cemetery: Cremation Will Be Private

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home