Patricia Ryan McCurdy's Obituary
Born 11/15/1925, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, St. Paul, Minnesota. Upon father’s retirement moved to San Diego, CA in 1945. Predeceased by her husband in 1984. Retired from the San Diego County Public Works Dept. after 21 years of service in 1987. Survived by her children, Eileen, Anita, and Michael; 7 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
This was the obituary our mother wrote for herself. We feel that it is too spare of details for such a long life.
Pat was born last into a close-knit loving family of 7 other siblings. The Ryan's were a magnet that always drew its members together no matter where they lived. They believed in getting together to celebrate any occasion, which always included playing cards. When she moved into Nazareth House in the late 1990s, she joined 5 of her siblings already there. They saw each other every day and took care of each other. All of Pat’s children grew up with a strong identity with this loving family and its many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. One of Pat’s biggest regrets was outliving almost everyone except for her children.
Pat met the love of her life in San Diego and had 3 children whom she loved very much. She would listen to them talk for hours. She enjoyed RVing with her family and her children and still able to fondly recall the many camping trips they made all over the West.
Pat liked whiskey sours and played a mean game of bridge, a passion of hers that she played with her husband and continued to enjoy to the end. She had a strong faith and also passed that gift along to her children. Her strongest devotions were the Immaculate Heart of Mary and Divine Mercy; the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Mass were daily activities.
Pat was a classy lady and liked things just so, which showed in her meticulous hair and dress. She loved working and made many friends she saw for years after retiring. Pat enjoyed organizing everything from large to small, in her job as an administrative secretary to the head of the County Dept. of Transportation, to her family’s various activities, her hobbies, doctor appointments, and right down to her funeral.
Pat was a strong woman who fought off breast cancer, bone cancer, a broken vertebrae, 2 broken hips, a broken pelvis, broken ribs, congestive heart failure, kidney failure and Covid-19. She was no stranger to the emergency room but always bounced back. Although she was 95 on her last trip to the ER, everyone who knew her was shocked when she failed to return.
Being reunited with her husband and family was something Pat longed for many years. Although we know you are exactly where you want to be in God’s loving hands, we will miss you Mom. May your soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
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