Patty Lynn (Artz) Ney

Patty Lynn (Artz) Ney, passed from this world gracefully and peacefully on February 11, 2025 in her home surrounded by her family, friends, and army of inflatable outdoor snowmen and her octopus collection.

70 years young, she was a child of the 60’s and at nine years old became the middle child of The Blair and Evelyn Artz clan of Hegins, PA. Her new family position enabled her to explore her hippie, gypsy soul when she began to collect enduring friendships like others collect shells or baseball cards.

She was born in Pittsburg, PA on March 16, 1954, The Year of the Horse. At 16 years old she acquired two horses, a Morgan horse named Black Pearl, and a Palomino named Nicki. She also recruited her little sister to assist in transporting home a pony in the back seat of the family Rambler station wagon.  She described this time as “the best time of my life”. Her love for animals continued throughout her life with many pets including dogs, cats, squirrels and a potbelly pig named Hamlet. In recent years she enjoyed other people’s pets with a dog-sitting business.

Patty’s legacy and greatest joy were her three sons, Jason Lettich (Shannon), Jeremy Lettich (Meghan), and Kasey Ney (Brittney). She is survived by her siblings, Kim Sitlinger, Donnie Artz (Bonnie), Jeff Artz (Roxane), and Julie Banner (Andrew) along with many nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends that she considered family. She also loved her status of Great Auntie to great nieces and nephews who she showered with gifts and octopus stickers.

Over the last twenty months of her life, she courageously battled brain cancer. Having endured challenging surgeries and medical treatment she never wallowed in self-pity. Instead, she held others up most notably leaving motivational post-it notes throughout her hospital room thanking the hospital staff, calling them “rock stars”.

She lived life not focused on the destination but rather the journey. Patty’s journey was defined by being present and grateful. She lived in the moment with a child-like curiosity about people and the world. She would not want us to be sad but instead carry her torch of kindness and free-spirited compassion for people and animals alike.

To honor and celebrate Patty’s life, memorial contributions can be made to the Mountain View Horse Rescue at https://mountainviewhorses.org

At Patty’s request her final earthly destination will be Wolfe’s Neck Point in Freeport, Maine.

A party will be held in her honor at a future date to share food, laughs, and memories.

Mountain View Horse Rescue
4508 Winding Rd., New Tripoli PA 18066
Web: https://mountainviewhorses.org