Patricia A. O'Malley

Patricia “Tish” O’Malley, 67, of Upper Darby, passed away peacefully on November 27, hand in hand with her devoted husband and surrounded by her four daughters, all heartbroken and in shock at the loss of the strongest woman they know.

Tish was the loving daughter of the late James (“Jimmy”) and Mary Teresa (“Teresa”) O’Malley. Born in Southwest Philadelphia, she grew up in a home filled with faith, hard work, and deep pride in their homeland of County Mayo in the west of Ireland. Tish idolized her parents, and anyone who knew them could see that she modeled their best qualities and shared their deep appreciation of Irish traditions. She loved an Irish wedding or celebration and was a showstopper on the dancefloor when it was time to jive. She traveled to Ireland with her daughters when they were young to instill in them a connection to this place, its customs, and their many cousins, all of whom loved “Aunt Tish” so much.

Tish was a caregiver by nature. It wasn’t just something she did; it was who she was. Selfless, thoughtful, and endlessly generous, she poured her love into acts of service—cooking every dish for the St. Lucy’s School for the Blind fundraisers or putting her creativity to use crafting grave wreaths for the headstones of family, friends, and strangers who were mourning a loved one. Her motto was to do a “good deed for the day,” and those daily good deeds added up to a lifetime of kindness.

Like her dad, Tish’s work ethic was unmatched. She was rarely seen sitting down unless she had a basket of laundry in her lap in front of an episode of CSI: Anywhere. She brought that same energy and dedication to every part of her life: her caregiving jobs, her home, her mothering. Even when she became ill, she continued to work as a caregiver, always putting others’ needs ahead of her own.

Her patience, especially with children, was extraordinary. She never met a baby she didn’t love or couldn’t calm. The birth of her first grandchild, Noah, marked a joyful new chapter in her life. She had a new favorite person, who quickly learned what it meant to be on the receiving end of her endless love, patience, and generosity—and, to his mother’s dismay, her firm belief that Mom-Mom always knew best (and she usually did).

Tish led a life that her parents, children, and grandchildren are so proud of. She led by example and was always just a phone call away, ready to help her daughters with everything from life’s big questions to the everyday ones: How do I get this stain out? How do I make your deviled eggs? Who do I call when the roof is leaking? In the end, it is those little things—her voice on the other end of the line, her love of holiday lawn inflatables, her Irish scones, her mere presence in times of hardship—that will be missed most by those lucky enough to have known her. If her daughters have inherited even a portion of their mom’s fierce independence, strength, courage or kindness, then they are lucky indeed.

Tish is the beloved wife of Chris Winters, the loving mother of Colleen (Dean), Maureen, Chrissy, and Meghan (Jack), and the proud grandmother of Noah, Emily, Erin, and Shane. She is also survived by her dear siblings John (Bonnie), Colleen, James (Stacey), and Eileen (Roy), her faithful and extraordinary Aunt Ann Bourke of Ballyheane, Co. Mayo, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who adore her. Last, but certainly not least, she is dearly missed by her heartbroken goldendoodle sidekick, Finnbar. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Jimmy and Teresa O’Malley.

Her family asks that you remember Tish by doing a good deed each day for someone in need.

Relatives and friends are invited to Tish's visitation on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA. An additional visitation to take place Friday, December 5, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA followed by her funeral mass at 10:30 AM. Inurnment at SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in honor of Tish’s memory to Grands Stepping Up, an organization Tish admired and supported. (www.grandssteppingupinfo.com)