Obituary of Patty McGreal

Patty, the fifth child of DeEsta and Elden McFarland entered the world in La Jolla, California, one month and two days after her February 14 due date. Her mother claimed that had she been born on her due date her name would have been Valentina McFarland! But a baby born on March 16 simply had to be named Patricia after St. Patrick instead. She was raised in Glendale, California where she and her siblings took advantage of all the perks of living on Adams Hill, such as climbing up the water tower and riding bikes down the hill at breakneck speeds. The bikes weren’t nearly as much fun to get back up the hill and her big brothers would sometimes pay her a nickel to push their bikes back up! As a teenager she earned money babysitting for a family who attended Holy Family Catholic Church and she was drawn to the joy they found in their faith. She converted to Catholicism and at the age of 18 met the love of her life, Joseph Eugene McGreal, at the church youth group, the De La Salle club. The friendships they made in this group endured throughout their lives. From her early years the center of her life was faith, family, and friends. After six years of courtship Patty and Joe were married and over time they rejoiced in the births of three children, Cathleen, Timothy, and Michael. Patty enjoyed being married to a photo journalist especially when the family could accompany him on work trips! They welcomed Joe’s mother, Catherine McGreal, into their home when she could no longer live alone. With Catherine living in her home and her own mother, Esta, living one block over, Patty embraced this active family life. Sadly, Joe died of a heart attack in his thirties leaving behind a young widow with three children in kindergarten and younger. Patty began a career with the city of Glendale working at Verdugo Woodlands Elementary School, Glendale High School, and eventually spending decades at the Glendale Public Library. Despite her busy work schedule, she devoted time to her children by co-leading Cathleen’s Brownie/Girl Scout troop, attending Tim’s football games at Glendale College, and faithfully cheering on Michael at his baseball games! Patty also was a fixture at Holy Family Parish as the baby/toddler caregiver during Sunday Mass for 50 years as well as an active participant in numerous parish groups. Patty leaves behind her loving family; children, Cathleen (Kerry) and Michael (Natalie); grandchildren, Erin (Eric), Kaiti, Ryan (Cait), Shannon, Patrick, and Joe; great-grandchildren, Liam and Joey. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Patty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe; her son, Timothy; her siblings and their spouses Jim (Grace), David (Margaret), Jack (Margo), DeEsta (Don). Please join us in celebrating her life on Thursday, August 8, 2024, 1:00 pm. Public viewing will be from 12:30 to 1:00 followed by the funeral mass at Holy Family Church, 220 East Elk Avenue at corner of Louise Street, Glendale, California. Reception details will be available at the service.