Patricia McEnerney Lukaszewski

McEnerney Lukaszewski - Patricia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 22, 2022. Pat lived an extraordinary life. Her 93 years were defined by her belief – in God, in people, in the family she was born into, and the large, loving family she created. She will remain a towering figure to her eight children, their spouses, her 16 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her greatest gift was a keen sense of what is truly important. To that end, Pat took a casual attitude to the duties of homemaking and a sometimes comically laissez faire approach to parenting by contemporary standards. She instead spent her days embodying the values of her Christian faith to the world around her. As a parent, she bore great personal burdens, but had the endless courage and determination to not burden others with her struggles. Her children lacked for nothing, certainly nothing of importance. She raised them to believe in themselves, to do for themselves, and they in turn did as she taught. Pat was the kindest of friends; inquisitive and sensitive, patient. and endlessly generous with her time and energy. Having a sense of what was most important herself, she helped others find needed joy and laughter during dark moments. If Pat was in the room, or even in the general vicinity, you knew she was there. She talked loud, and laughed louder. Subtlety was of little interest to her, she hugged and kissed often and with purpose. She loved a party, whatever the reason. She had excuses to not be joyful, but it was not in her nature to abide such sorrows. She was an extraordinary dancer, often humbling her sons. Her sense of timing and rhythm was always appropriate for any tune from any era. Your choices were two: dance with her or be dragged to the floor by force. As her son, I can say I never wanted to dance with her. But once started, I never wanted to stop. A metaphor that will last a lifetime. Somehow, she found time to give endlessly to the Syosset community and the St. Edwards Confessor church she loved so much. She was a longtime member of the Rosary Society and was a constant driver of church outreach and activity. Pat was a fantastic quilter and loved to share those gifts with others, both by teaching and giving of her creations. She could stitch and sew sometimes serviceable, sometimes fabulous clothes and costumes from whatever lay around, drapes included. Much of this was done without plans or patterns, just her creativity, love, and innate sense of what children and grandchildren consider magical.

Pat's first husband, Donald James McEnerney, passed away in 1984. In 1987, Pat married

Chester Lukaszewski. Chester and Pat embarked on their own journey, combining their love of family and travel, Pat's passion for celebrating life was matched by Chester's warm sense of hospitality. Their marriage was joyous. They traveled widely, to see children and celebrate the accomplishments of their grandchildren, but also to Alaska, Europe, and cruising the Caribbean. Whatever her age, Pat never looked on what was new, or different, or not yet understood, negatively. She remained an avid reader her entire life. Experientially, she knew endless volumes, but remained curious and open to new ideas to the end.

Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY September 12,1928 to her beloved mother and father, Jean C. Halbert and Elizabeth (Flanagan) Halbert. Her childhood was joyous and loving. She is predeceased by two beloved sisters, Elizabeth (Halbert) Petersen and Dorothy (Halbert)

Piccirillo. The three sisters remained extremely close their entire lives. All different in temperament and nature. Betty always projected a quiet grace, kindness and innate sense of class.

Dorothy a tour de force of joy, passion and affection. Pat loved her brothers endlessly, she is also predeceased by Jeremiah Halbert and Jean Paul Halbert and survived by her brother James Halbert.

Pat is survived by her daughter Kathleen McEnerney (married the since deceased Vincent

DeFazio), Donald McEnerney and his wife Sally (Appell) McEnerney, and their daughters

Sarah and Emily, Patricia (McEnerney) Burke, husband Joseph Burke and their children

Elizabeth, Joseph and Caitlin. Bridget (McEnerney) Lavell, husband Robert and their children Marykate and Colin, Virginia McEnerney and her husband John Schreiber and Virginia's daughters Penelope and Violet Gehr. Jeremiah McEnerney, wife Robin (Wells) McEnerney and their children Brendan, Clare, and Shea, John McEnerney and Kasia Walicka-Maimone and their children Liliana and Kayetan, and Daniel McEnerney, wife Jennifer (Daczka) McEnerney and their children Jackson and Maxwell.

A visitation for Patricia will be held Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Beney Funeral Home, 79 Berry Hill Road, Syosset, New York 11791. A funeral mass will occur Friday, May 27, 2022 at 9:45 AM at St. Edward Confessor RC Church, 205 Jackson Ave, Syosset, New York 11791. An interment will occur Friday, May 27, 2022 at Cemetery of the Holy Rood, 111 Old Country Road, Westbury, New York 11590. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beney-fh.com for the McEnerney Lukaszewski family. The McEnerney Lukaszewski family respectfully requests any donations in Patricia's honor be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society: https://ssvpusa.org/