Patricia Gavin Obituary

My Little Mom,

It's been more than a few days and I still can't believe it. Any minute, you're going to call and say, "Mol, did you finish your thank you notes yet?" No. I haven't. Looking through some old college stuff, I found the notes you hid in my drawers and books. "Hope you are smiling and having a ball...always remember how much I love you" If I could, I would write little notes for you to find, too. They would say pretty much the same thing. I hope you have better luck with your keys than I did. I love you , Mom, and I will always keep you in my heart. I will smile through this and anything else the world throws at me. I will laugh and have a drink and a dance for you. I will never be uncharitable!! And I will always bloom where I am planted. "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be."

Putz

Patty, You were such fun! We never did get to do our march down Western. The times I was in your company were just extraordinary and such great laughs. I feel we are bonded through Nancy, Rosemary Blyth and by the fact we were both 1st grade teachers. May God hold you in the hollow of His hand until we meet again. Love, Mary Lu

Patty’s death has touched me very deeply, though I have not seen her in years. We played together as young children, spending time at each other’s homes. Among the treasured objects I recall from my childhood are the aluminum boxes her Dad brought home from work for us (perfect for crayons, I think). We lived a block apart, went through Christ the King together, and, ironically, she died just a few miles from where I live now. I am struck with how brief our lives really are and how each stage holds such strong, meaningful memories.



My heart is with you Tom, your children and grandchildren, Patty’s siblings, her extended family, and many friends.

My sister is now safely in heaven. Thinking about all that has been said about her two things certainly stand out. First, in every picture taken of her she is smiling. Second, when things had to get done and there was conflicting ways to handle them Patty with her smiling spirit just like a little kid would say I know why don’t we do this.... wouldn’t that be fun, do you wanna. And it would be done. No argument, no challenge just like magic things would happen.



First graders are pretty good judges of character. In reading her memory book from all her students made it clear, they all loved her, I mean that is what they wrote I love you. How cool to have a first grader say that about you.



As I write this I can truly say losing her has not set in. I grieved plenty over the past few days but, I just don’t get it yet. I want to personally thank my brothers and sisters for their love and support. To my friends and cousins who took time to comfort me you all mean so much to me. You all will be forever bedded in my prayers.



Finally, to Tom and your wonderful kids to me it is ok to cry and ok to reminisce. You all know better than me what an extraordinary person your wife and mom was. She may be in heaven but she has left with all of you a legacy of sainthood that no other being that I know would ever have the ability to match. She is golden, she is an angel



I love you all

I owe Patty and Tom so much. They helped finance my college education with all of the babysitting I did on Oakley. In my youth, I was so impressed by the number of friends and variety of outings that they were invited to. It was obvious at the wake and funeral that their friendships have only become more plentiful with time. What a beautiful tribute to Patty and her great family. Patty touched my life in a very special way and I will be eternally grateful. May God bless her and her family.

The Christ the King 40th Reunion of the Class of 1959 was a celebration enjoyed by all. Patty was happy, laughing, dancing, talking, eating, singing and her enthusiasm was contagious. The forty years seem to melt away and we were all young again. The large number of people that attended her wake was a tribute to a person who brought joy and laughter into the lives of so many others. My prayers will be said for Patty and her wonderful family that she loved so much.

When I heard of Patty's death, all the time that has lapsed since our days at Christ the King and Longwood disappeared. I was back at an overnight at the Voris home, at a volley ball game at CK, at the many girl scout activities we shared together, and at four years FULL of great times at AOL. I recall Mr.and Mrs. George Voris like it was yesterday (who could forget the George Voris eyebrows!), welcoming all Patty's friends and making us part of the lively and fun Voris family. I'm sure that spirit has been passed on to the Gavin children and their children, but it will be missed in Patty herself. Thanks for being part of my happy childhood memories!

And Tom, my St. Barnabas 8th grade classmate, my deepest sympathy to you and your children.

Patty Shevlin

To know Patty Gavin was to love her. She had charisma and a caring attitude that everyone knew and loved her for. Her spirit will always be with the Gavin and Voris family and all her wonderful friends.It was an honor to be her sister-in-law.Our love, thoughts and prayers go to Tom, Morgan,and Molly and Carolyn and all the Gavin family.

Aunt Patty, We will always love you.We are lucky to have spent time with you recently, as usual time that was too short.We trust that you are at the side of the lord to teach his children and direct the party.

As a lesson to us all we should celebrate life and live it to its' fullest as you always did.



Our love and our sympathy to Tom,Carolyn,John,Molly,Morgan and all of your extended familes.



All of our lives are better to have lived them with Patty.,



We will miss you forever.All of our love,

Colleen and Warren, Jack, Claire and Timmy.

Well Patty as much as I am dying

inside, I'm a little at peace because I know that you are not hurting anymore. I miss you terribly. I wish you could call and tell us that you are having a good time. I would feel so much better.

Tom, John, Carolyn, Molly and Morgan, I love you very much and I hope that Patty can pass some strength to you to get through this.

Patty, you're a beautiful person, I love you!!

To the Gavin and Voris family with warmest sympathy and concern: The world has lost someone very special and all of us are the poorer for Patty's death. I hope you can find some comfort in your many special memories and in the thought of the happy years you shared. May the love of family and friends comfort and strengthen you in the days ahead. You have my love and heartfelt sympathy.

I have been keeping busy so I can't think. Just got on here. Great innovation. I know how much will be said the next few days and I would

like to thank all for their messages

and sympathy. My typical speech has

been: we knew Pattys condition would'nt allow another intestinal

bypass. It did work but Patty's heart could'nt withstand. I'm bewildered but strong in the fact that we (she) has such great friends. Recent things are obvious to all who knew her, but these are

a sample of long ago joys we had.

Climbing the stairs of the Washington Monument, throwing tennis

balls out our window at the Waldorff,dancing on the top of the

Empire State Bldg.,the Wagon Wheel,

Ridge CC, Kirbys, Swank, dancing to In The Mood, enough now.

Patty and Nancy were in DC on their

annual visit with Mickey and Dorothy.I have the pics and they show Patty having a great time. Nancy confirms this as the best visit. I'm so bummed, I love you Patty.

I can't get the song "Crying" out of my head. I remember dancing and singing it with Patty at a dance at Christ the King. Every time I saw her she would start that and bring back so many of the wonderful memories of growing up and knowing her. God bless you all and what a wonderful thing that she has been a part of our lives.

Our deep condolences to the Gavin and Voris families. Tom and Patty were kids together at Christ the King and friends for years thereafter. We shared parties, ski trips and a lot of good times. Her sparkle and charm will be missed most by her family, but also by all of her friends, both new and old.



May God keep her in the palm of His hand.