Patricia (Donovan) Clausen passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on May 8, 2022 in Levittown, NY. She is survived by her children, Charles (Angela) and Nancy; her grandchildren, Christina, Robbie, Caitlin, and Beth; and her sisters, Ann and Eileen. She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles and by her brother, William.

Patricia (Mom, Pat, Aunt Pat, “Uncle” Pat, Grandma) was born in the Bronx on November 15, 1934 to the late Jeremiah and Ellen (Shea) Donovan and was the youngest of four children.

She went to Holy Family School and graduated from St. Raymond Catholic High School in 1952, then worked in Manhattan as a secretary until her marriage to Charles in 1963. They moved to Long Island and she spent the next few years raising her children. When her children had been in school for a few years, she returned to work as a school secretary, working first at a junior high school and later at Minnesauke Elementary School for many years.

She loved her job as a secretary in the school mainly because of the children. She used to get “such a kick” (her expression) out of the funny things that the kids would say when they came to the office. She was patient and helpful with everyone who came to the office and was very well liked.

She always loved to read and after her retirement, became a member of the Friends of the Sachem Library in Holbrook, an active group of volunteers who held events and raised money for the library. Also after her retirement she became a member of the Red Hat Society and had lots of fun attending several of their events. She attended weekly Saturday night dances and could do an impressive lindy and fox trot.

She loved to sing in church choirs and community choirs over the years, and she definitely passed along her love of music to her children and grandchildren. (In her words, “Where would they be got?”)

She loved her four grandchildren dearly and managed to travel from Long Island to Canada in time to be present for each of their births. She used to joke that she had used every form of transportation possible in order to visit her grandkids: car, bus, train, and plane.

She began to show signs of dementia in 2013, but in spite of her decline, she taught those around her about what’s most important by continually expressing appreciation and gratitude for everything. She would refer to the simplest of meals as a “feast” and would often say, “This is the best day ever.” She was so grateful for the loving care her son, Charlie and daughter in law, Angela provided to her in the final years of her life.  

Her daughter Nancy recently found a letter Mom had sent to her when she was first away at college and in the letter Mom was sharing about a book she had recently read. In the letter she said, “Well, you know how much I love happy endings.”

Yes, we do, Mom. Rest in peace. We love you.  

All are welcome to attend the funeral Mass on Saturday, June 18th at 11 am at St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church.  The Mass will be livestreamed for those who are unable to attend in person.  Here is the link: 

 https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-mass-for-patricia-clausen-jvxh4zueu69i5lviisne

A luncheon reception will follow at  Paddy's Loft in Massapequa.  

Instead of flowers, gifts  or donations, please consider honoring  Mom's memory by following  some simple advice she shared with us a few months before she died.  As Mom was enjoying the pages of an adult coloring book, she suddenly looked up from the book and asked in an urgent voice, "Did you see this?" and then read the page:  "Start each day with a grateful heart."  She repeated it and said:  "Start each day with a grateful heart??? Wow. Can you imagine what the world would be like if everyone really did that?" 

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