Patricia C. McNamara, 95, passed away peacefully at home with her family November 18, 2016.
A private Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Greensboro, NC and Interment followed in Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia, NC.
Patricia was born July 31, 1921 to the late Flora King and Phillip Conley in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a quick witted and well read lady as well as an accomplished pianist, who graduated from Sacred Heart High School at the age of sixteen and went on to attend Business School.
Patricia met the love of her life, Jay McNamara, Sr. and spent many evenings dancing to Big Band Swing Music at the Memphis Peabody Hotel. They married March 10, 1942. She volunteered for the war effort with the USO during her husband’s deployment to Europe during WWII.
After the war she raised five children. Jay’s career took the family from Memphis, TN to Fresno, CA to Gastonia, NC, where they lived for the next 29 years. After her husband’s passing in 1990, she lived the rest of her life with her children.
In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by 3 sisters and an infant brother.
Survivors include a daughter Christy Arends and Bill; sons James J. McNamara, Jr. and Libby, Phillip McNamara and Elizabeth, Patrick McNamara and Trenna, and Michael McNamara and Anita; 9 grandchildren; 5 great granddaughters; several nieces and nephews; and special friends TexAnne Templeton and Tracey Teague.
Family and friends may sign and view the guestbook at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com.
The Family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. Kenneth Miller, McAlester, OK, for his many years of friendship and professional care.
