Charter member of Mohawk Valley In Good Health writing team passes
By Lou Sorendo
Patricia Malin, long-time journalist in the Mohawk Valley region, recently passed away at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Utica after a long, valiant battle with illness.
Pat, 66, was a charter member of the writing team for Mohawk Valley In Good Health, which has published 160 monthly editions since 2006.
“Pat was a great person, and an excellent writer with a nose for finding interesting stories,” said Mohawk Valley In Good Health Publisher Wagner Dotto. “In addition to writing for In Good Health newspaper, she contributed a great deal to 55 PLUS magazine, where she wrote many great feature stories. We will certainly miss her work and her friendship.
Pat served as our chief correspondent in the Greater Utica area, covering not only some of the more hard-hitting health-related issues in the region, but also focusing efforts on turning out superb human interest features.
Her talent at the newspaper will be sorely missed. She not only wrote, but also developed solid story ideas and provided suggestions on how to make our coverage better.
Pat was born on April 21, 1952, in New York City, a daughter of Joan Walser.
She graduated from Proctor High School in 1970.
Pat earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in German studies at SUNY Oneonta, and had a deep love for her heritage.
At times, I attempted to drum up some of the German language I had learned in high school to add to our oftentimes daily banter.
She was very quick witted and highly convicted on certain issues, and it was tough to leave a conversation without Pat having said the last word.
She began her working career as a sportswriter with the Observer Dispatch newspaper and also worked for Zogby International.
She was an avid fan of the Utica Comets, and held her own when it came to talking sports in general.
Obviously, being associate editor at the newspaper since its inception, it is impossible not to form a bond with a writer who has been there through every edition.
I got to know Pat on a personal basis, and came to appreciate her love for journalism as well as her devotion to her religion. She was a member of St. Joseph & St. Patrick Catholic Church in Utica.
We shared time on a personal basis and attended some fun events in the area.
Pat also served as a volunteer at Munson Williams and also served on the committee of the Regional Primary Care Network.
One thing that was apparent about Pat was her unwillingness to succumb to her cancer, and after remission several years ago, she came back as strong as ever. Even in her last days, she refused to waver and fought hard through the end.
She will be remembered not only for her love of news writing, but also her passion for art such as woodcarving, and hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and kayaking.
Highly athletic throughout her entire life, she would often challenge me to a game of tennis, which I never followed through on. Perhaps we will on the other side.
Pat also ran the Boilermaker 5K for many years, and was an avid supporter of Utica’s trademark event.
What struck me the most about Pat, however, was her love and devotion to her mother, Joan, whom she lived with in New Hartford.
She always spoke of her mom’s high standards, and provided her with love and companionship as a devoted daughter. Her mom was always atop Pat’s priority list regardless of circumstances.
Bon voyage my friend, until we meet again!
Editor’s note: Pat’s obituary is at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/uticaod/obituary.aspx-?pid=192141653.