Patricia Charlotte Donnelly

Patricia lived a life full of intrigue, achievement, and stories worth telling. She passed away at the age of 90. Born in Howard Beach, New York, to Daniel and Charlotte Conway, she attended Our Lady of Grace Grammar School and John Adams High School, where she was valedictorian.

She married at 22 and raised two sons, Laurence Charles and Edward Daniel Donnelly, as a single mother. A proud New Yorker and American, she made it her life’s ambition to raise successful, honorable Americans, and both sons remain devoted to her. Known as “Granny,” she was cherished by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a political and patient activist, Patricia championed a patients’ rights bill in New York. On October 6, 2000, Governor George Pataki signed the far-reaching New York Patient Health Information and Quality Improvement Act into law, creating one of the country’s most comprehensive disclosure systems and giving patients access to their doctors’ professional histories, including malpractice and disciplinary records. In 2001, the New York State Senate named her a Woman of Distinction for this work. She fought for the law in honor of her grandson Harry, and it remained one of her proudest accomplishments.

She valued education and earned an associate degree at age 55. She loved music, especially Pavarotti, and musical theatre, and she produced Off-Broadway musicals.

Patricia held a lifelong devotion to Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata, India, and had the privilege of meeting her on several occasions. She was also deeply involved with the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island.

A world traveler, she explored countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America, but she held a special love for Ireland and Greece. She also loved the beach, especially Long Beach and the Greek Islands.

Her parents, Daniel and Charlotte Conway, and her grandson, Harry, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sons, Laurence and Edward; her grandchildren, Daniel, Brendan, James, Sean, Gabriel, and Ariel; and her four great-grandchildren

.A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Church, 100-05 159th Avenue, Howard Beach, NY 11414.