Josephine Pater: Love & Legacy

Josephine E. Pater says the highlight of her life was being married to Oscar.

The two were born and raised in New York, just 10 blocks apart from each other. They didn't meet, however, until their teenage years. Josephine held bridge nights at her mother's home and one night a friend invited Oscar over to play.

"After that, Oscar won all the time," says Josephine. "He was excellent."

They were married in 1939. Oscar worked as an engineer and Josephine was a stenographer for Metropolitan Life Insurance. Through Josephine's involvement with the Order of the Eastern Star as a Grand Chaplain, Oscar grew interested himself and became a Grand Lecturer and Grand Marshall.

On their 50th wedding anniversary, the Paters bought a home in Pompano Beach, Florida. After a few years of going back and forth between New York and South Florida, they made the permanent move to Pompano Beach.

At 62 years of marriage, in 2001, Oscar became ill and sought treatment at Holy Cross Hospital.

"Oscar was at Holy Cross for a long time and he was taken such good care of," remembers Josephine. "He really lasted as long as he did because of that wonderful care. Everyone [at Holy Cross] was so good to him and so helpful."

It was at that time that Oscar and Josephine decided to support Holy Cross Hospital through a charitable bequest in Josephine's will.

Though Oscar passed away that same year, he will never be far from Josephine's thoughts. She sits across from his picture every day and exhibits a wonderful sense of humor at 97 years old. The love and commitment they shared will continue through the legacy of their gift to Holy Cross Hospital, helping save others' lives.

We are grateful to the generosity of the Paters, as every charitable bequest helps us continue the mission of the Sisters of Mercy. If you would like to consider a bequest to Holy Cross in your estate plan, please contact Marcie Hall at 954-229-8560 or through email at [email protected].