Patricia Ann (Lahey) Shea, age 81, a lifelong resident of Cold Spring, died on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., surrounded by family.

Born on April 7, 1931, and raised in Cold Spring, Patty was the youngest of seven children born to Joseph and Grace (Schatzle) Lahey. She grew up in her parents’ home on Moffett Road and graduated from Haldane High School. On March 17, 1953, she married the late Philip Joseph Shea and remained his devoted wife for 47 years. She leaves behind her six sons:  Joseph, Philip, Richard, Peter, Christopher and Michael; her daughters-in-law Patrice, Allison, Karen, Maryann and Barbara; her brother Francis (Terry) Lahey; and scores of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

With an abundance of energy, she not only raised six sons but also attended their games and productions. She stayed involved with her own brothers’ and sister’s families as well, celebrating hundreds of family birthdays over the years baking her well-known cakes. She continued these traditions with her grandchildren, both hosting birthday parties and traveling to games and celebrations from Maine to Maryland as her family grew and spread out.

Patty was well known to be generous and loving; she gave of her time to various causes in the community, such as the Putnam County Children’s Committee. However, her service centered most deeply around her church, Our Lady of Loretto, for which she volunteered in various capacities, including the Parish Council.

Patty initially worked for Putnam County, Butterfield Hospital, and the Philipstown Highway Department, but the bulk of her work career was as executive director of the American Cancer Society’s Putnam County unit, and later in the same post for Orange County. Her tireless dedication to her profession was a comfort to the multitude of people she helped in more than 20 years of service there.

Friends are invited to call at the Clinton Funeral Home at the corner of Parrott and Pine Streets (21 Parrott St.) in Cold Spring on Friday, Nov. 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A mass of Christian burial will take place 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 24 Fair St., Cold Spring. The burial service will take place at Cold Spring cemetery following the mass. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Clinton Funeral Home in Cold Spring.

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2 replies on “Mass for Patricia Ann (Lahey) Shea To Be Held Dec. 1”

  1. Karen, Richard and family, We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts are with you. Sue and Joe

  2. Dearest Richard and Karen, My deepest condolences. Your mother, Richard, was a wonderful woman. I am happy I had a chance to meet her and have a great conversation. Condolences to all your family.

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