Patricia Ann Crean

Patricia Ann Crean (Tierney) of San Diego, California passed away peacefully on Tuesday July 30 th, 2024
with her loving husband of 54 years by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and
Marjorie Tierney, as well as her brothers James II and Daniel Tierney and brother-in-law Stephan
"Jamie" Jamieson. She is survived by her loving husband Michael Crean, son Michael (Gaile) Crean II,
daughter Mary (Michael) Tuck, and son John (Jessica) Crean, along with seven grandchildren Quinn,
Reagan, Aaron, Lizzy, Audrey, Noah, and Emily. As well as her sisters Maretta (Craig) Clauson, Sheila
(Jake) Rademacher, Colleen (Dan) Barta, and Kelly (Steve) Mondloch and numerous nieces, nephews,
great nieces and nephews.
Pat was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, the fourth of seven children. She spent most of her childhood in
Fargo, North Dakota and moved to Mankato, Minnesota her senior year and attended Loyola High
School. This is where she met her future husband Mike as he offered her a ride home from school one
afternoon.
After high school she went to Creighton University in Omaha on a scholarship for her freshman year but
wanted to be closer to family and returned home to finish obtaining her Bachelor of Science at Mankato
State College. Upon completing an internship at Sinai Hospital of Detroit School of Medical Technology
as number one in her graduating class, she received a job offer working in the blood bank. After her
husband finished his enlistment in the Navy, they relocated to San Diego where she worked for twenty
years with American Clinical Laboratories (later becoming Nichols Institute). She finished her career as a
Software Development Team Lead at SAIC (later becoming Leidos), retiring in 2015.
She spent her retirement years traveling to see her family in various states, crafting beautiful creations
with her embroidery machine that she graciously shared with family, friends, and colleagues. For 34
years, she was a Lector at Good Shepard Catholic Church in San Diego and later she was also involved at
St. Michael's Catholic Church in the Prayer Quilt Group Ministry.
Family was everything to her. She was a wonderful mother, actively involved in the children's scout
groups, and spending many years as Chairman of the Uniform Moms for the Mt. Carmel High School
Band, helping to fit over 300 band members in their uniforms. She took great joy in making clothes and
costumes for her grandchildren and was so excited to see them wearing them. She loved life, was quick
with a witty response, and enjoyed telling jokes. She enjoyed music and musicals, having enjoyed many
Broadway shows at San Diego Playgoers. She would drive in her convertible with the top down, blaring
her showtunes much to the embarrassment of her teenage children. She always loved cooking, putting
on a big spread for the holidays, and became a fan of Emeril Lagasse and the Food Network. As
Christmas was her favorite holiday, she amassed the world's largest collection of nutcrackers.
Please direct any donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.