WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. —  We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Elizabeth Patricia Diem (Monahan) Siskind, 86, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, on December 28, 2025.

Born on February 27, 1939, in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, she was the only child of Frederick Diem Monahan and Baronessa Maria Vittoria Centini Piccolomani. When the United States entered World War II, Patricia’s father joined the Allied forces, and Patricia along with her mother and grandmother were placed in the Servigliano prison camp as American citizens. After liberation, the family reunited and moved together to Rome.

In 1955 the Monahan family left Italy for the United States, where they settled in Chicago. There, Patricia attended Senn High School and later studied at the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago.

Patricia’s lifelong passion for fine and decorative arts began as a child in Rome and continued through her work in the antique department at Marshall Field’s, Georg Schmidt Art Restorer, and Sheridan Art Galleries. She also was a co-chairman of the Lincoln Park West Antique Show in 1975.

Patricia met her future husband, Julius Siskind while sailing on Lake Michigan. They married on April 27, 1963, and lived in Chicago’s Lincoln Park until relocating to Williamstown in order to raise their family. Patricia devoted the next decade or so to raising and nurturing her three children along with her much loved husband.

In Williamstown, she also became deeply engaged with her community. She volunteered at the Women’s Exchange, served on the boards of Pine Cobble School, the Contemporary Artists Center, and Friends of the Milne Public Library; and co-chaired the board of the ABC Clothing Sale. She also worked at Library Antiques, and later founded Siskind Appraisals with her daughter. As a professional appraiser, she devoted many hours valuing items for charity events for Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish, First Congregational Church and the Bennington Museum.

She was a parishioner of Saints Patrick and Raphael Parish, a longtime member of the Williamstown Garden Club, and a fond participant in the activities of the Williams College Faculty Club. Patricia will be remembered for her generous hospitality, love of entertaining, and her many lavish meals with beautifully set tables and unexpected guests.

Patricia is survived by her daughter, Mariavittoria Siskind of Williamstown, MA; her sons, Samuel Siskind (Glynnis) of Ambler, PA, and Paul Siskind (Chrissy) of Carbondale, CO; her stepmother, Roberta Lee Monahan of Chicago, IL; four grandchildren, Manny, Julia, Becket, and Scarlett; two beloved pets, Sheba and Tansy, and many dear friends.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Patricia Siskind will be celebrated on Saturday, April 18 at St. Patrick and Raphael Parish in Williamstown at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Williamstown. To add to the Book of Memories, please visit www.flynndagnolifuneralhomes.com