Patricia Mary Scharr, 71, of Danbury, died peacefully October 29, after a long illness.

Her siblings, Grace Scharr McEnaney of Newtown; Margaret M. Sagarese; Frederick Scharr; and Joseph Scharr; and cherished friends survive her.

Ms Scharr graduated from Hunter College in the Bronx, N.Y., and received her master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She worked as an elementary school teacher in Chicago for many years while developing an interest in scuba diving.

She became a dive master and diving club owner on Grand Cayman Island and subsequently served on the board of PADI and The National Association of Underwater Instructors before returning to the United States. Later, Ms Scharr became an award-winning American Red Cross fundraising executive and contributed to that effort for 25 years, until her recent retirement. Her best love was singing with the Waterbury Chorale, Danbury Concert Chorus, and the St Rose of Lima Choir.

A funeral mass will be offered Saturday, November 3, at noon, at St Rose of Lima, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the St Rose of Lima Church at strosechurch.com; or the Regional Hospice & Palliative Care Center, 30 Milestone Road, Danbury CT 06810.

To light a candle or leave a condolence in her memory, visit danburymemorial.com.