Obituary: Patricia Bagg

PORTLAND – Pat Bagg, 79, died Sunday, July 12, 2026, in the early morning, after living nearly two years with lung cancer.

Pat was born in New York City, and was raised by her grandparents in Worcester, Massachusetts. She attended Notre Dame Academy and Anna Maria College, earning a BA in English Literature and a minor in chemistry.

One of Pat’s greatest joys was food, and she often read cookbooks instead of novels before bed. Food, however, was only part of the point: she loved her friends and loved nothing more than cooking for and sharing a meal with them. Pat made countless connections over food, both at home and at the two small restaurants she owned and ran in Central Massachusetts, which were both named “Special Teas.” She was most at home in a kitchen, surrounded by friends and family.

“I will always treasure the meals we enjoyed along with the energy and enthusiasm she had for food, its culture, the people who make it, and the act of sharing it with those she cared about,” says Nevin Martell, a longtime friend. After working for years at Digital Equipment Corporation, Pat’s professional life centered around food. Pat taught herself to cook through Julia Child’s immortal Mastering the Art of French Cooking, founded a catering company named Fêtes Accomplies, created Special Teas, worked at The Cheese Iron in Scarborough, Stonewall Kitchen and Maine Foodie Tours in Portland, and volunteered for organizations focused on solving food scarcity. Throughout her time in the food world, Pat mentored countless students, many of whom pursued culinary careers themselves; food was the way she taught, connected with others, helped her community, and provided for her friends and family.

During their long Portland winters, Pat and her husband Peter spent time in Central Mexico in the beautiful city of San Miguel de Allende. While there she made friends in the knitting and bridge communities, friendships she maintained to the end of her life. San Miguel became an annual pilgrimage, and she was at her happiest marrying her love of food with her love of that place, crafting meals for the friends she made in its community. Outside of the kitchen you could find her walking up and down the cobbled streets, participating in Zumba or Qi Gong, visiting the markets every day, and marveling at the vibrant San Miguel culture.

Pat was a friend to all, and much beloved by friends and her family. She is survived by her husband Peter Bagg, her children Alison and Christopher, her son-in-law Zachary See, and her grandchildren Edgar See and Marlena See.

Pre-funeral services were provided by Conroy-Tully Walker, 300 Allen Avenue, Portland, ME 04103. A Celebration of Life event is planned for late August.

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