lit a candle 19d agoNever knew of her until I read this obituary today, but a nursing leader who spent thirty years training other nurses deserves to be known further than Long Island. Rest well, Patricia.
Their story
Patricia Kurz, known to colleagues and family as "Pat," was a nursing executive whose career on Long Island, New York spanned more than three decades at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and Catholic Health Services. She rose through the ranks of hospital nursing administration at a time when the profession…
Patricia Kurz, known to colleagues and family as "Pat," was a nursing executive whose career on Long Island, New York spanned more than three decades at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center and Catholic Health Services.
She rose through the ranks of hospital nursing administration at a time when the profession was changing rapidly, and she became known within her hospital system as a steady hand during periods of clinical and organizational pressure. Colleagues who worked under her describe a leader who combined clinical expertise with calm, practical guidance, someone who could be trusted to make sound decisions under difficult circumstances. Her obituary describes her as a dedicated healthcare leader who championed professional nursing practice, staff development, and high-quality patient care throughout her tenure.
Beyond the administrative side of her work, Pat Kurz was remembered chiefly as a mentor. Nurses who passed through Good Samaritan and the wider Catholic Health system during her years there have spoken of her influence on their own careers, and her obituary singled out her dedication to training the next generation of nursing staff as one of her defining qualities. That role, mentor more than administrator, is the one most often cited by those who knew her.
Patricia Kurz was born on March 29, 1945. Little has been published about her early life, education beyond nursing training, or the path that led her into hospital leadership. Professional listings associate her with Hunter College, though this has not been confirmed through a primary biographical source.
She died on September 16, 2026, at the age of 81. Her family's published notice did not state a cause of death, and none has otherwise been made public. She was surrounded by her family when she died. She is survived by her three daughters, Anne, Sandra (known as Sam), and Donna, by four grandchildren, Natalie, Colin, Alejandro, and Ryan, and by her brother, Bob. No information about a spouse or partner appears in her published obituary, and that part of her life is not publicly documented.
Following her death, her family asked that donations in her memory be directed to the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, a religious community connected to the Catholic Health mission she had served throughout her career. A remembrance gathering celebrating her life is planned for the spring of 2027.
Biography adapted from News reports and the sources cited on this page; death reported by Newsday.
Same, only found out because my sister in law trained under her at Good Samaritan.