Patricia Lorraine Priest

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of our mother, Patricia Priest (McShane) at the age of 91. She passed peacefully at her Grand Street home on May 16, 2025 with her family around her. Pat or Patsy as she was known by so many, was born in Philadelphia on April 1, 1934. Her family soon moved to the Kingsbridge area of the Bronx where she grew up with her parents John and Molly McShane. Her parents raised the four amazing “McShane Girls” in the apartment across from the fire house, which is where the legacy began. She attended St. John’s in Kingsbridge and Aquinas High School where she may have had a disagreement or two with the fine sisters! At the age of 14 she met the love of her life, her husband Daniel Xavier Priest (“my Danny”). Family was everything to them and they went on to have 5 wonderful children - Patti Priest Horan, Danny Priest, Lori-Ann Priest Crofoot (Bruce), Sean Priest (Helen) and Tracy Priest McKenna. This led to greater joy - her 11 grandchildren - whom she adored - Danny, Ashley (Joe), George (Jessie), Mollie (Ray), Sebastian, Shannon, James, Luke (Anna), Jennifer (Jack), Jamie and Maddie. She was also blessed to be GiGi to Daniel (Boone), Sophia, Joey and Ray and found out on Easter that one more is expected in December! She is survived by her younger sister Teri Shepard and many, many nieces, nephews and family. Pat was predeceased by her husband Dan, her son Danny, her parents, her sisters Jean Keith and Barbara Williamson and her grandson Sebastion.

Patsy was one of a kind. She did not have an easy life, but boy was it a good one. After the loss of her husband, she managed to raise her two younger children, maintain the family home and travel extensively with her cousin Eileen (Knauss) and they always had many interesting and colorful tales to tell. She loved the fact that she was still in touch and spoke with her two friends from “the neighborhood” - Mary Lou and Jane and even got to speak to them in the last few weeks of her life. She worked at Orange & Rockland for many years before finally retiring at the age of 75! She loved her family and the beach and we often tried to combine her two loves. She had an amazing 90th birthday celebration and the OBX last year with over 25 family members. She loved her home, her pool, her crossword puzzles and the grandkids always were around at 7:00 to watch Jeopardy, followed by an often competitive round of Wheel of Fortune with Gram! Independent, strong, caring, funny and loving are just a few of the adjectives that could be used to describe her. Mom was the matriarch of our family, the glue that held us all together. She had an open door policy and was a mother to many and an anchor for even more. She was loving but had no trouble telling you how it was and maybe even giving you a slap on the head if needed. She will be missed tremendously but her legacy will live on for generations to come through the family she loved so very much.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Pat’s life on May 23, 2025 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm at Higgins Funeral Home in New City, New York.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to United Hospice, 11 Stokum Drive, New City, New York 10956.