Patricia M. Moore

Patricia M. “Tiger” Moore

HORNELL-Patricia M. “Tiger” Moore, 61, of Crosby Street, passed away early Tuesday morning (Dec. 28, 2021) at a Rehab Center in Rochelle Park, NJ, after a valiant fight from COVID-19 complications.

Born in Bath, NY on Sept. 5, 1960, she was a daughter of James and Marian (Jackman) Mehlenbacher. She has resided in Hornell for most of her life and was a graduate of Hornell High School, class of 1978. Tiger received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Buffalo and her master’s degree in education from Alfred University.

She began her 30-year career as a first-grade teacher for the Hornell City School District at the Bryant School 1986 and retired from the North Hornell School in 2016.

Tiger loved animals and after retiring, she began volunteering for the Hornell Area Humane Society and eventually served as the president of the Board of Directors. She also enjoyed swimming five times a week, at the Hornell YMCA and will be remembered as a “cheerleader” for her family and students at any of their activities.

On Dec. 4, 2020 (pre-vaccine) she received her first positive test for COVID-19. She was hospitalized four separate times because of worsening symptoms.

On June 30, 2021, Tiger was admitted to NYU Langone Hospital with COVID pneumonia. For 111 days she was on an ECMO lung bypass machine and in a coma for approximately four months. During this time Tiger participated in a long-term Covid-19 study.

She received her first negative test for COVID on Aug. 30, 2021. Because of consequences of COVID pneumonia, she continued rehabilitation at long term acute care facilities and passed away unexpectedly.

Her loving family includes her father, James Mehlenbacher of Hornell; two sisters, Betsy Schultheis and Brenda Davis both of Battleboro, NC; one brother, Steven (Polly) Mehlenbacher of Almond, NY; also several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins; as well as her close friends, Pat Butler, Barb Todd, Diane Zanghi and Patty Libordi.

She was predeceased by her mother, Marian; and her sister, Penny Bassage.

Calling hours are 1-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday (Jan. 4, 2022) at the Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home, 285 Main St., Hornell where a private funeral service will be held Wednesday (Jan. 5, 2022) with Pastor Craig Brittingham officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to join her family at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Cohocton, NY for a graveside committal service. Face masks will be required at the funeral home and cemetery. All the services will be live streamed and may be seen either on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home or on the homepage of www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com (please see link for live stream) for 30 days beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday (Jan. 5, 2022).

In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in her memory to either the Hornell Area Humane Society, 7649 Industrial Park Road, Hornell or to the Penny Bassage Scholarship Fund in care of the Hornell High School Alumni Association, P.O. Box 135, Hornell, NY 14843. Envelopes for memorial contributions will be available at the funeral home.

The Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home is honored to assist Tiger’s family with the arrangements.

To leave your own personal remembrance of condolence you may click on the link below or visit the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.