Patti Jay Conroy, of DeLand, Florida, passed away on August 15, 2026, following a stroke. Patti started her 75 years as a premature baby—when she came home from the hospital she fit in a shoe box. She was not expected to survive, much less walk or talk, but she defied all the predictions and remained a fighter her whole life.

Patti grew up in Miami and shared a bedroom with her sisters, Kathy and Wendy. In her early years, Patti never crawled. She scooted wherever she wanted to go, first walking when she was four. At the playground, Patti loved the metal corkscrew slide and would go down it all afternoon with Kathy in front of her and Wendy behind.

In 1979, Patti and her mom moved to DeLand and she started attending the ARC Workshop. Patti enjoyed riding the school bus and was proud to get a paycheck for her work. She had many friends at the Workshop and did not like to miss a day for any reason.

Patti regularly attended Sunday School and worship services at First Presbyterian Church. She prayed the Lord’s Prayer with gusto and greeted everyone in worship—she always remembered people’s names.

Patti always wanted to know whose birthday was coming up and which family members were coming to town for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or the next holiday. She made thousands of bracelets for friends and family.

In 2007, Patti moved to New Life Manor, a group home for adults with developmental disabilities. Patti loved the family she found there. Ruby Mabry and the many wonderful caregivers provided Patti with a caring home and a stable routine for the last twenty years.

Patti was preceded in death by her mother, Pauline Conroy, and is survived by her sisters, Kathy Ambachtsheer and Wendy McLeod of DeLand. A celebration of Patti’s life will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at the First Presbyterian Church with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Patti can be made to the ARC of Volusia County, 100 Jimmy Huger Circle, Daytona Beach, FL 32117, or First Presbyterian Church, 724 N. Woodland Boulevard, DeLand, FL 32720.