Patricia McGroary

In loving memory of Patricia McGroary (née McGarrigle), age 83, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, formerly of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, who passed away peacefully at home on August 27, 2026. Born in Donegal, Ireland, she was the daughter of the late James and Teresa “Tessie” McGarrigle (née Scanlon).

Throughout her life, Patricia (Pat) carried with her a deep love for family, faith, and heritage. She grew up in Donegal, Ireland and cherished her Irish roots, a source of identity and pride that remained close to her heart always.

In 1961, Pat immigrated to New York, where she met and fell in love with Patrick (Patsy) McGroary, also from County Donegal. The two were married in 1964 and settled in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, where they raised their five children and were blessed with 62 wonderful years of marriage. The couple shared a love for travel, and Patsy’s work with Trans World Airlines afforded them the opportunity to travel back home to Ireland frequently and to explore the world together. Some of the couple’s favorite adventures included trips to Hawaii and many other parts of the United States, Bermuda, England, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Jamaica, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, France (Lourdes), Italy, and The Holy Land.

Pat will always be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her life was marked by a steadfast love and the quiet, generous care she gave to those around her. All were welcome in her home, where laughter flowed freely, the sweets were plentiful, and a cup of tea was always at the ready. She was a woman whose presence brought comfort, whose devotion to her family was enduring, and whose legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured with tenderness and strength.

Pat’s life was rooted in a deep and enduring faith in God. She was a parishioner of St. Laurence Catholic Church in Upper Darby for 30 years, followed by another 30 years as a parishioner of Mary Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Church in North Wales. Throughout her life, Pat held a deep devotion to St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina, finding peace and comfort in his humility and in the healing power of faith in God.

Patricia was the beloved wife of Patrick McGroary; the loving mother of Oonagh Kersey (Lee), Dan McGroary (Patty Faehner), John McGroary (Denise Turner), Sheila Loch (Alan), and Mary McGroary (Steve Stevens); the adoring grandmother of twelve: Christopher Kersey (Olivia Lippincott), Jennifer (née Kersey) Carr (Jeremy), Michelle Kersey, Kimberly McGroary (Liam Flanagan), Matthew McGroary (Makenna Armagost), John Patrick McGroary (Jessica VanBuskirk), Kirsten (née McGroary) Phillips (Chris), Brendan McGroary, Samuel Loch (Valerie Ruhl), Noah Loch, Emma Loch (Trent Bollinger), and Olivia Loch; the caring great-grandmother of nine: Keegan McGroary, Grace McGroary, Catherine McGroary, Finnegan Phillips, Aidan Phillips, Maeve Phillips, Delaney Loch, Michael Loch, and Kadyn Carr; and the devoted sister of Celine McBrearty, Seamus McGarrigle, Dolores Coleman, Una Sweeney, Tony McGarrigle, Deirdre Cummings, and the late Columbanus McGarrigle, Eugene McGarrigle, Joseph McGarrigle, and Sylvia Doherty.

Flowers were a great joy to Pat, and the family welcomes flowers in her memory. Those wishing to honor her memory may also consider making a memorial contribution to The National Centre for Padre Pio in Barto, PA. https://www.padrepio.org/donate/memorial-gifts/

Family and friends are invited to Patricia's Viewing from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, September 4, 2026 and from 9:00-10:00 AM on Saturday, September 5, 2026, both held at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082, followed by her Funeral Mass on Saturday, September 5, 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082. Interment immediately following at SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.

Services will be livestreamed: https://vimeo.com/event/6157562?fl=so&fe=fs