Patricia Viola O'Leary

Pat, as everyone called her, was born December 16, 1930 to the late Harold Hassett and Helen Unland Hassett in St. Louis Missouri, and had two brothers: Robert Hassett and Harold Hassett Jr. Pat was married to her late husband, Chester Eugene O’Leary, for 49 years. Chet passed away on November 5, 2011. Pat and Chet have two children Elizabeth Megan Brooks and Michael Stephen O’Leary.

After getting married, Pat and Chet lived in several locations. Their journey together took them from St. Louis, Missouri, to Louisville, Kentucky, then Medfield, Massachusetts, then Williamsville, New York, and they ultimately retired to Carolina Shores, North Carolina in 1987. While raising her children, Pat held different administrative assistant jobs at Mallinckrodt Chemicals and Babson College. Once retired, Pat so very much loved her time with Chet in Carolina Shores. They enjoyed a wonderful community of friends, living near the beach and plenty of tennis courts, and were active in their church, Our Lady Star of the Sea. Pat was an avid tennis player, playing into her 80s, and making it to the South Carolina USTA State Tennis Championships for over-55 doubles numerous times. She always loved getting her kids and grandkids on the tennis courts, which required unbelievable patience - however she always had a smile. Pat was a gracious hostess and always found joy and happiness in the simplest of everyday activities. Pat moved to Cary, North Carolina in September 2020, during her final years, for additional care.

Pat cherished her family from St. Louis. She was close to her brothers Bob and Harold, and also her Aunt Vi, her dad’s sister, with whom she lived for many years before getting married. Pat treasured her niece and nephews: Susan DeMian, Robert Hassett Jr., and Michael Hassett.

Pat so loved her children and five grandchildren. Elizabeth and Jim Brooks have two children, Kaitlyn and James Donovan “JD”, who live in Buffalo, New York. Michael and Beth O’Leary have three children, Michael Jr., Ryan and Elizabeth “Libby”, who live in Cary, North Carolina.

A Catholic funeral mass will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 804 High House Road, Cary, North Carolina, on Tuesday, June 30th at 4pm, with reception to follow in the Parish Center. At a future date, an additional private service will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where Pat will be joined with Chet in their Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, North Myrtle Beach, SC, for upkeep and maintenance of the beautiful garden and Columbarium area.