Marguerite "Pat" McAvinue

Marguerite P. McAvinue
"Pat"
1943 – 2025
Marguerite P. McAvinue "Pat", age 81, of Springfield died peacefully March 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by parents the late William Patrick and Marguerite Helena (nee Brennan) and her brother William McAvinue. She is survived by her siblings Eileen, Kevin, Mary and Neil. She is also survived by William's spouse Linda, nieces Laura and Colleen, nephews Bill and John, grandnieces Olivia and Lida and one grandnephew Austin.
After a long struggle with Parkinsonism, Pat passed away on Friday, March 28, 2025 with family at her side. Pat graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Girls in 1961. She was an excellent student. In her senior year she was one of the editors of the school's literary magazine, "The Tower". She kept close connections with West Catholic throughout her life: attending numerous class reunions, subscribing to the school's newsletter and, for some years, as a member of a social sorority of WC classmates. Pat had a strong interest in academics and channeled this interest into a long career in teaching. After working various jobs to save for tuition, Pat earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Pennsylvania. Pat taught primary grades in the Philadelphia Public School System and the Philadelphia Catholic School System for over seventeen years. Pat's career changed directions when she became a staff member of the Drexel Library of St. Joseph's University. There she was able to indulge her love of books, reading, repairing and cataloging. Pat earned Continuing Education Units in the Modern Archives Institute at the National Archives and Records Administration. Her work at SJU included preparation of important displays of the University's materials and memorabilia to commemorate milestone anniversaries and major University events. After retiring from SJU in 2012, Pat volunteered her skills as an archivist for two projects close to her heart. On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Gesu Parish in Philadelphia, Pat worked with two members of the Gesu faculty to organize and assemble important historical documents related to the parish's founding. Her final opportunity to do the work she most loved was to assist her long-time friend, Rev. John P. McNamee of St. Malachy Parish with cataloging his significant volume of writings, books, poems, homilies, and editorials for inclusion in his collection of works maintained at DePaul University Special Collections in Chicago. Pat was committed to many social justice issues and put that commitment into action: tutoring at an inner-city community center, marching in Anti-War protests during the Vietnam War, and supporting nonviolent causes, such as Caesar Chavez's farm workers group. Pat had an incredible mind, incredible attention to detail and an enviable memory. As the first born McAvinue grandchild, she was our family's archivist. She was a wealth of information and could recall facts and dates about family history. Pat gave her support and guidance to each of us often in quiet, almost silent ways. She is dearly missed by all who so enjoyed being a part of her life.
Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing Saturday, April 5, 2025, 9-10:15am at St. Dorothy Church, 4910 Township Line Road, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania 19026, where her Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30am. Interment Saint Denis Cemetery.
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