The miracle of Patricia (Pat) Eileen Hennelly Compas’ life reached its conclusion on February 16, 2021. Pat lived a full and amazing life, but perhaps she should best be remembered by how she defined family – in a word, broadly, and made anyone she was ever introduced to feel like they were the most important person in her world. Pat was born in St. Louis, Missouri on July 28, 1930 to James (Jim) and Katherine (Kate) Hennelly who had immigrated from Ireland. She was born late in her parent’s lives and survived cancer at a young age by an innovative treatment that was written up in the American Journal of Medicine – yet another miracle. Her father passed away early in her life and Pat and her mother Kate lived with her sister, Loretto Gunn and brother-in-law Don Gunn who already had embarked on a large family of their own. Pat was like a sister to her nieces and nephews who were not much younger than herself. This was her first expanded view of family. Pat learned valuable lessons of selflessness, hospitality and altruism from her family who were always volunteering, supporting charity events or engaging in public service. In addition, she was also exposed to comic humor, no shortage of shenanigans and unconditional love.
Pat was famously determined in oh, so many ways. When she set her sights on a particularly handsome young man by the name of William (Bill) Joseph Compas, Jr. she never wavered in making him the love of her life. Once married they moved to Ames, Iowa where she started on her next family of five new miracles, but only the first, James (Jim) Joseph Compas was born in Iowa. The other four: Kathleen (Kathy) Mary Compas (Siemion), William (Bill) Joseph Compas III, Thomas (Tom) Patrick Compas and Maureen Patricia Compas (Clifford) were all born in Connecticut. Pat and Bill and their brood lived in Branford, Connecticut for 17 years. While living in Branford, Pat found her next family. This family was harder to build at first given that the Compas clan were relative outsiders in the eyes of the notoriously close-knit New Englanders. But they were no match for Pat’s charms and perseverance as she became an active member of the community volunteering at the church and joining the choir. In the process she won over a lifelong family of friends. Those who knew her well remember her for the best parties ever thrown in New England. She was a consummate host and when the parties would end the cleaning would just be kicking off. Her children recall waking in the wee hours to the sound of the vacuum running through the halls.
A job transfer for Bill found them traversing the country to Carlsbad, California where she would spend the next 48 years of her life. Moving clear across country was quite a change in more ways than one. No longer did she live in a small town with everything close at hand, now she lived in a more remote setting in the hills above La Costa where there was more sage brush than houses (not so now!!). Again, Pat and Bill again threw themselves into their community, becoming founding members of St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church where she once again joined the choir and volunteered. As one might expect she again built a new family of neighbors and church members with her signature gift of charisma. She continued with her infamous parties although they were more subdued given Californian’s preference for wine over any other beverage. She watched her children grow, marry and start families of their own and she started looking for something new to occupy her time. For the first time in many years Pat went back to the workforce working as a receptionist at a brokerage firm. Bill would joke that he thought she spent more money bringing tasty treats to the office staff than what she earned. Again, the big heart shown through.
Eventually Pat and Bill would retire and enjoy visits and travels with their children, their children’s spouses, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. During this time, Pat and Bill would care for and with great sadness lose one of their miracles, their son Bill, to the ravages of cancer.
Ultimately, Pat and Bill sold their lovely home to live in an active senior retirement living community in Carlsbad. Sadly, Bill would never spend a day at La Costa Glen as he passed prior to their move in date. Pat would brave moving into her final home alone without the love of her life of 66 years. Again, Pat found the resilience to build yet another beautiful family of women also living at “The Glen”. It wasn’t long after moving in that the COVID-19 pandemic struck and Pat nurtured her love of Netflix (there was probably little that was produced that she hadn’t seen). Still Pat managed to keep engaged with her Glen family, using her unique gift of caring for the welfare of others, she would call them nearly daily when the facility was locked down, during COVID-19, to check on them and ensure they heard a familiar voice.
Perhaps the true miracle of Pat’s life is not in her longevity, but rather in the warmth, sense of worth and love that she gave to those who were in her wide circle of family.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall soft upon your fields and, until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Those wishing to remember Pat’s memory with a gift may contribute to:
Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet 6400 Minnesota Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111 or St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church 6628 Santa Isabel Street Carlsbad CA 92009
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