Patricia C. Mello of Edgartown died on Jan. 2 at the Falmouth Care and Rehabilitation Center where she had been residing for a number of years. She was 97.

Born in Freeport, Ill., the eldest of six children, she was the daughter of Patrick G. Corrigan and Valeda (Cheney) Corrigan. After graduating from Aquin Central High School she went on to graduate from St. Francis hospital training school, earning a registered nurse degree. After the outbreak of the war she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps and trained with the air evacuation unit at Bowman Field, Louisville, Ky. Upon completion of training she earned the designation of flight nurse. She served with the 806 Medical Air Evacuation Squadron in Europe, earning the rank of first lieutenant.

While undergoing training in Kentucky prior to deployment to Europe she met and married first lieutenant Joseph C. Mello. After the end of the war they settled in Edgartown where she worked at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for a number of years.

She is survived by her son Patrick Mello; four grandchildren, Cory Mello and Jody Mello of Brighton, Hannah and Alicia Cole of Avon, Conn; 15 nieces and nephews; sister in law Elizabeth Corrigan of Freeport, Ill.; brothers in law Manual and John Mello; sisters in law Dottie Mello and Teresa Mello, all of New Bedford. She is also survived by daughter in law Deborah Orazem and son in law William Cole. She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years Joseph C. Mello, daughter Julie Cole and son J.C. Mello; sisters Bernadette Corrigan, Jeannette Cooney and Pauline Lawless; brothers Robert Corrigan and Patrick Corrigan and brother in law Charlie Mello.

Visiting hours were held at the Chapman Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs yesterday. Funeral services will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Oak Bluffs on Friday, Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. with interment at the New Westside Cemetery in Edgartown.

The family requests in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Vineyard Nursing Association, P.O. Box 399, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Please visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.