Patsy Judith "Pat" Maclean

This obituary was lovingly prepared by the family

Patsy (Pat) Judith MacLean passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2026, in Covington, GA. Born on November 21, 1933, to Mary Elizabeth and John Kenneth Reynolds in Columbia, South Carolina, she was the first grandchild of James Angus and Pearl Ejot Cope. She spent the first 6 years of her life in South Carolina and kept strong ties to her South Carolina relatives throughout her life. During this time, Pat was baptized in the Baptist Church, developing a faith that grew over her lifetime. She became fond of Methodists, Presbyterians and Episcopalians in her later years.

After the death of Pat's father, Mary married Charles "Chuck" Esmer Ward and they moved to his hometown of Marietta, Georgia. Pat attended Keith Elementary and Marietta High School, graduating in the first 12-year class in 1951. Pat was an outstanding athlete at Marietta High playing on the 1951 State Championship Girls Basketball Team. She was selected Who's Who in her Senior Class for athletics. Pat, along with her teammates, was inducted into the Marietta City Schools Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005 for their State Championship Victory. After graduating from high school, Pat attended the University of Georgia. After a year in college, adventure beckoned, and Pat and three high school friends moved to Denver, Colorado.

At this time, her mother and stepfather moved to Santa Cruz, California, as Chuck was transferred from Lockheed, Marietta to the Santa Cruz Test Base. After a year in Colorado, Pat then decided to join Lockheed in San Jose, California. There she met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" MacLean. They married in San Jose and lived there during their early married life. They had a daughter, Julianne MacLean, and a son, Ian Arthur MacLean. They moved from California to Florida and back again while Bob worked for the space division of Lockheed.

After their children were grown, they retired to New Smyrna Beach Florida. They invested in land and planned to build a home Wyoming but one winter there convinced them to move back to California. Bob died there in September, 1994. After a short time in Florida and Covington, Pat moved back to California and lived first in Grass Valley and then in Roseville, to be near Ian, Crystal, and her grandchildren, Kaylee and Cole MacLean. She enjoyed her years there, with close contact to her adored grandchildren. Unfortunately, her health began to fail, and in 2009, she moved to Covington, Georgia to live with her sister.

The first description of Pat that comes to mind is quietness. She would never be the first to speak, never interrupt, never monopolize the conversation. She was an excellent listener, providing good insights and advice but only when asked. While Pat was a quiet person, when she did speak, she seemed to have the perfect words. She had an open and loving spirit that allowed others to feel accepted and welcome. She was most noted for her great sense of humor. She had a wry wit that could find the humor in everything, sometimes accompanied by eye rolls.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of 32 years, Robert MacLean, her father, John Kenneth Reynolds, her mother and her step-father, Mary and Chuck Ward and her son, Ian Arthur MacLean.

She is survived by her daughter, Julianne MacLean, her grandchildren, Kaylee MacLean Brumfield (Brady) and Cole MacLean; her sister, Alexa DeVetter as well as a niece, Kristen Lynch (Jason), and a nephew, Sean DeVetter (Nancy), and numerous cousins.

Pat's memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends. She leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, and cherished memories that will continue to bring comfort to those who mourn her passing. The family will have a celebration of life for Pat at a later date.