Patricia McLean

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of our mother, Patricia (Pattie) McLean, on October 2, 2026 at the age of 87. She was born in New Jersey, but her real story began when she met the love of her life, Dan, and the two soon married and embarked on their first adventure together, moving to Germany, where Dan was serving with the U.S. Army.

After returning to the US, the early years were busy, as Pattie and Dan quickly had two daughters, and Pattie pursued her college education at night at Kean College of New Jersey, earning a degree in Teacher Education. She was a dedicated and energetic teacher of elementary and special education students as well as a tutor of gifted students. She taught in New Jersey, Texas, and Delaware before retiring to pursue a master's degree in Counseling and Human Relations at Villanova University, then worked as a rehabilitation counselor.

Her daughters recalled her college stories, particularly of geology courses and the field trips she took, which sparked a lifelong passion for rocks and minerals. Her grandchildren remember gifts from her travels with Dan of rocks and geodes, along with detailed trip reports of all their adventures. One grandson especially remembers the jar of volcanic ash Pattie brought him home after their trip following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens — ash she'd collected from their car windshield! She was also an accomplished seamstress, and her granddaughters fondly remember the annual Halloween costumes she made for them.

Pattie was an avid traveler and shared many trips over the years with her husband, Dan. Together, they explored the United States extensively in their RV, visiting the country's National Parks along the way. Pattie set a personal goal to visit all of the Presidential libraries across the country and achieved it! After moving to Henderson, Nevada, she stayed active and social, enjoying tennis, golf, bridge, and mahjong.

Pattie was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Dan, and her sister, Elaine.

She is survived by her two daughters, Allison and her husband, Tim, and Lisa and her husband, David; her five cherished grandchildren, Harrison, Chandler, Alexander, Lily, and Emma; and her sister, Camille.

A service will be held for the family at the Cape Canaveral National Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and warm wishes online.