Patricia O’Connor McCaffrey
Patricia O’Connor McCaffrey died peacefully in her sleep on September 26, 2017 in Santa Rosa, California. She is survived by her five children: Greg, Lynn (Steve Powell), Steve (Kristina), Jim (Cheri), and Ann Marie Bledsoe; her eight grandchildren: Steve and Michaela Powell, Leo, Elizabeth, Shannon, Patrick, and Coda (aka Ryan) McCaffrey, and KC Bledsoe; as well as her brother, Jerry O’Connor, and her sistersin-law, Mary Corbett McCaffrey and Mary Moriarty McCaffrey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence, her sister-in-law Joyce O’Connor, and her brothers-in-law, Jim and Jack McCaffrey.
Patricia was proud to have been born in Shanghai, China, and to have grown up in Hawai’i until World War II. Her children and grandchildren will always remember Patricia’s stories of walking to school or the beach barefoot with her brother, Jerry. On occasion, she was even known to demonstrate her hula skills at family parties. After leaving Hawai’i, Patricia’s family settled in San Francisco where she lived until she and Laurence moved to Kentfield during retirement.
Patricia attended St. Monica’s, Presentation High School and City College before meeting the love of her life. Patricia and Laurence were married for 59 years before he passed away in 2014. Patricia fondly called him “Laurie.” Their love and devotion to each other will continue to inspire those who were lucky enough to witness it. Patricia and Laurie loved having family and friends in their home— whether in San Francisco or Marin, or at the Russian River where they spent most of their summers. In particular, they both greatly enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the entire McCaffrey clan, which included their children and grandchildren, as well as the entire families of Laurie’s two brothers. Whether an intimate birthday dinner or a large holiday party, Patricia made any event seem effortless.
Her family and friends will miss her dearly. A memorial service will be held at Saint Rose Church in Santa Rosa, California on Saturday, October 7th at 12:30 pm, with a reception to follow at the Flamingo Conference Resort and Spa, also located in Santa Rosa.