Obituary of Patricia A. (Collins) O'Dowd

Patricia A. (Collins) O’Dowd, age 78, devoted wife of Henry F. O’Dowd of Peabody, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 17, 2011 surrounded by her family. Patricia was born in Salem on January 18, 1933 the daughter of the late Arthur and Ellen (Joyce) Collins. She was raised in Peabody and graduated from St. John’s Girls High School Class of 1950 and was a lifelong resident. After graduating, Patricia was employed as a telephone operator in Salem and Lynn. Though she has not worked there for decades, she remained close with the women that worked with her. Upon her marriage, Patricia focused her attention to her family and raising her children, and later was so proud of her 2 grandsons and their accomplishments. She later returned to work for Dr. Marvin Clopper of Peabody as a receptionist for a period of 15 years. She was actively involved in the AOH and belonged to the “Couples Club” for over 50 years. Patricia honored her Irish heritage whenever possible and as such, it was appropriate that she passed away on her favorite holiday – St. Patrick’s Day. Patricia also loved to travel, knit, crochet, cook and especially entertaining her family and friends. In addition to her husband with whom she shared 56 years of marriage, Patricia is survived by a son, Patrick O’Dowd of NH; a daughter and her husband, Julie A. and Jim Thibodeau of Peabody; a brother and his wife, Edward and Rita Collins of Swampscott; a sister and her husband, Mary Ellen and Dave Foley of Peabody; 2 sisters-in-law, Lib LaFrenia and Vel O’Dowd; as well as her beloved grandsons, Blaine and Drew Thibodeau of Peabody. Patricia will also be missed by her nieces, nephews, neighbors and extended family. Her funeral will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 8 a.m. from the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9 a.m. in St. John the Baptist Church, 16 Church St., Peabody. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Monday, March 21, 2011 from 5 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Patricia’s name to the Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215. Burial in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Peabody.