Obituary of Patricia M. (Collins) Conway

SALEM—Patricia M. (Collins) Conway, beloved wife of the late Daniel Conway, Jr., passed away peacefully at her home in the comforting presence of her family on Saturday November 12, 2011. Born in Peabody, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Elizabeth (Sullivan) Collins. She grew up in Peabody, and graduated from Peabody High School . She went on to study at Chandler School for Women and Marion Court Junior College . She worked in the Peabody School District, before settling into her career with the Peabody Housing Authority in 1977. After spending many years with the Peabody Housing Authority, in 1989 she transferred to the Saugus Housing Authority, where she worked until retiring in 2002. Although her accomplishments are impressive, alone they do not capture the essence of her life. Patricia was a devoted, strong, woman who always persevered. After a long oversea courtship, she married the love of her life, Danny. Together they bore 6 children, five girls, and lastly a son. When her son, was merely two years old, Patricia’s husband died abruptly from a brain aneurysm at the age of 38. This left her with the challenge of raising six children on her own, aged 14 to 2. She never lost sight of their dream, raising those children in the best manner in which she could. She never remarried, this is a true testament to her character. Patricia enjoyed socializing and spending time with her family and close friends. She loved square dancing with the Squares & Focus Dance Group, playing cards and board games. She especially loved watching the Bruins. A devout Irish Catholic, St. Patrick’s Day was always a favorite. She is survived by her daughters, Lynne & her husband Jon Sylvester of Raymond, NH, Kathleen & her husband Peter Deary of Lynn, Danette Schrader of Salem, Patricia Wilson of Danvers & her husband Keith Wilson of Peabody, and Jacqueline Conway of Peabody; a son, Daniel Conway, IV of Peabody; 19 grandchildren, Eric, Matthew and Mikaela Barrett; Ryan, Keith and Sean Deary; Amy Blanchard, David, Samantha, and Patrick Schrader; Kellie, Joseph McMaster, Nicholas Wilson; Michael Conway; Courtney, Daniel, Colin, Cameron and Christian Conway; six great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to gather on Wednesday November 16, 2011 at 9 AM from the Conway , Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. , Peabody, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 AM in St. Thomas the Apostle Church , Peabody . A visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 8 P.M. in the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem . Memorial donations may be made to the MGH/North Shore Cancer Center, 102 Endicott St . , Danvers , MA 01923 .