Patricia May O'Meara

Patricia O'Meara (née Clemons) was born in February 1936 in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. This vibrant community shaped her lifelong love of the city and its history. She met her future husband, John, through his sister Rosemary-Pat's best friend. Their friendship was so close it wove their families together for life.

Pat was a gifted educator. She taught American History and Geography at Madonna High School, and World History, Citizenship, Sociology, and English at Resurrection High School. She had a special gift for turning lessons into stories that brought the past alive. Later, she shared that gift as a docent with the Chicago Historical Society and the Chicago Architectural Foundation. As the city's official "Mrs. O'Leary," she told the story of the Great Chicago Fire and the prejudice behind the legend of the cow with passion and care. She wanted everyone on her tours to leave informed, not just entertained.

Her career also included years as an accountant with Loftus & O'Meara. She balanced books with the same care and precision she brought to teaching.

In May 2004, Pat suffered a massive stroke. She lost much of her physical independence but kept her sharp mind, humor, and will to live. Even while paralyzed, she thought of others-crocheting blankets in her mind for family, planning parties she could no longer host, and dreaming up thoughtful gifts she could not buy herself. Everyone around her witnessed her resilience and deep love.

Pat had a strong Catholic faith. She prayed novenas regularly and found great comfort in her prayer life. Those who went before her-her father Chet, daughter Mary Pat, best friends Rosemary and Mary Kay McKenna, mother Dorthea, husband John, brothers-in-law Tom and Dan, brother Hunter, and sister-in-law Ann-were always close to her heart.

She was the proud mother of Michael (Nancy) and Katie, and loving grandmother of Zachary O'Meara. She was godmother to Scott Clemons, Eileen (McKenna) Knuerr, Billy Lauer, and the late Michael Shockey. Thoughtful, strong, and warm, Pat remembered every birthday and celebrated every milestone.

If there is a bicycle path in heaven, we can imagine Pat riding it at last, friends beside her, along the shoreline of the city she loved.

Visitation Sunday 4:00-8:00pm at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago. Funeral Monday 9:30am from the funeral home to Queen of All Saints Basilica for Mass at 10:00am. Interment will be private.