Patricia G. Geraghty Obituary
Patricia G. "Pat" (McTigue) Geraghty passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from complications due to Parkinson's disease, which she courageously battled for nearly 10 years.
She was born in Beverly, MA on September 15, 1941, daughter of the late William C. McTigue and Katherine C. (Dumas) McTigue. A native of Magnolia, she graduated from Gloucester High School in 1959. She was known for her pretty singing voice, earning the superlative "Most Talented" in her senior year. She married Richard B. "Richie" Geraghty in August of 1960. A daughter, Kelly-Ann, was born in 1961 and a son "Ricky" followed in 1962.
Pat was a giver and a caretaker all her life. Even before her marriage, she was taking care of her four younger brothers, and in later years one or another of them came to live with her young family when they needed a place to land. She brought her mother, "Kitty" McTigue, into her home after her own father passed, as well; Kitty and the youngest brother, George lived there to the end of their days.
The little house in Magnolia was her haven, her pride and joy. She worked hard to keep it maintained, inside and out. She delighted in decorating the house for Christmas and won recognition during a Christmas House Tour several years ago. Her brothers, husband, and children were conscripted as yard workers, painters, and maintenance crew. Many cookouts, family birthdays and reunions, holidays and gatherings were held there, and she was the Master of Ceremonies for them all.
Pat never kept still (just ask anyone). Her hands were busy knitting or sending cards out for every occasion; baking brownies and goodies for anyone who might drop by. Her feet took her to visit others, especially her beloved "Auntie and Uncle" Margaret and Paul Heisey Sr. who lived just up the hill, or her neighbors Buzzy, Paul, Barb and so many more. She served as Secretary for the Magnolia Women's Club for many years, working hard to provide funds for college scholarships and other causes for her hometown. She taught Sunday School at St Joseph's Parish, Magnolia, managing the altar boys for the Mass. Every year, she took the group of boys to a Red Sox game as a thank you for all their service. She was truly bereft when her local church was closed.
Patty, as she was fondly known, worked in the local restaurants to help support the family. You could find her at Archie's (diner in Magnolia), Cameron's, and The Patio. In 1977, she took a job with First National grocery store as a baker. She worked the hot ovens and the "proofer" for a total of 37 years, as it became "Cape Ann Market" and finally Shaw's Market on Eastern Avenue. She retired at the age of 70, throwing herself a 70th birthday party/retirement celebration at the Manchester Legion in the summer of 2011.
Her children were her lodestar, and she never failed to show up for dance recitals, baseball games, high school plays, and the football games where both her son and daughter shone brightly in the Color Guard and Drumline for the ROTC/GHS Marching Band. In later years when her three granddaughters were born, she continued this trend, attending soccer games, middle and high school plays, recitals, The Docksiders concerts, and more.
Pat was predeceased by her mother, Katherine "Kitty" McTigue; father, William "Bill" McTigue; brothers, "Billy" McTigue Jr., and brother, George.
She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Richard B. "Richie" Geraghty; daughter, Kelly-Ann (Buszek) and her husband Keith of Fairway, Kansas; son, "Ricky" and his wife Martha of Gloucester, MA; three treasured granddaughters, Abigail, Katy, and Amy-Elizabeth Geraghty; beloved godchildren, Michael McTigue Jr. and Wendy (Beck) Nasser, whom she loved as if they were her own; brothers, Michael McTigue Sr. and Thomas McTigue. She leaves behind many well-loved nieces, nephews, cousins, as well as neighbors and countless friends who were all family to her.
Visiting hours in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Ann's Church, Holy Family Parish on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Beechbrook Cemetery, Gloucester.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, New York 10163 or to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Attn: Contribution Services, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
