Patricia Rose Rivera passed away on April 12, 2024 surrounded by her loving family.
Pat was the youngest of six daughters born to William and Grace Conroy on January 4, 1942 in Union town, PA. She was our lucky Irish lass. Growing up faith and fellowship was always important to her and remained so throughout her life.
Pat graduated from Cumberland Township High school in 1960. After graduation she visited her sister Kay and her husband Dan who was stationed at Army base in Granite City, Illinois. There she was introduced at the base swimming pool by Dan to her future husband Clem Rivera.
They fell in love and dated the rest of the summer into early fall. When Clem finished his active duty, he went back to California to get his affairs in order and then drove to Carmichaels, PA where he proposed to Pat in December 1960. They married on June 3, 1961.
They moved back to Oakdale, CA soon after the wedding where they raised their three children - Greg, Cindy, and Frank, and spent the rest of their lives.
Pat was a stay-at-home Mom until her children were of school age. She then worked at the same school they attended as a special education PE instructor. Later, she was employed by the Oakdale California Unemployment office and then the Oakdale Unified school district where she met many long-lasting friends.
She had many hobbies which included her passion of playing golf with her amazing golf friends at the Oakdale Country Club and playing cards with her dear friends two days a week. She also loved to travel. She enjoyed many great trips with her husband and friends to Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, Pennsylvania, and all over the United States. Pat and Clem also loved to RV in the western US with frequent visits to Pismo Beach and the High Sierras. Later she traveled with her children and their families to Hawaii, Pennsylvania, and various places in the US. She truly loved one of her last big trips with her family and dear friend on a long tour throughout Ireland.
Pat volunteered in many worthwhile clubs that always gave back to the community. This included Xi Tau Theta in Beta Sigma Phi with Exemplar status, YLI (Young Ladies Institute), the Hospital Gift store, counting collections at her parish St Mary’s Catholic Church, assisting with the Lions Christmas Shopping Tour, and near the end she volunteered at the Oakdale Rescue Mission by providing dinner to house guests on Friday nights. She truly enjoyed giving to this group and watching them feast on her famous green salads and Texas cake. They always came back for seconds.
She loved being Grammy to her grandchildren - known as the “the lucky 7”. She was so proud of each and every one of them. She was their confidant, mentor, cheerleader, and best friend. Her children and their spouses feel the same way about her.
She is survived by son Greg (wife Lisa, children Lauren and Megan), daughter Cindy (husband Dennis, children Alexandra, Jordann, and Madison), and son Frank (wife Lisa, children Joshua and Melissa). She was preceded in death by her loving husband Clem, her mother Grace Conroy, father William Conroy, and sisters Sarah Hershey and Ursula Nicholson.
In memory of Pat, Oakdale Memorial Chapel will host visitation on Thursday, May 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Rosary begins at 5:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oakdale at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 3.
Remembrances may be made in her honor to: Oakdale Citizens Cemetery, PO Box 600, Oakdale, CA 95361. Reference: Patricia Rivera Memorial Road Fund.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
April 24, 2024
