Patricia Dolan Obituary

Patricia "Patty" (Donahue) Dolan, resident of Keewaydin Island, Naples, FL, entered her eternal reward after a life complete with the joy of motherhood and grandmotherhood, fidelity to her husband of 49 years, and friendships dating to her childhood in Pittsburgh. Patty was born Jan. 24, 1954, to John Francis and Rhodora Jacob Donahue, the fifth of thirteen children. She was preceded in death by her godson, Peter Anthony Joseph Foxhoven; and her brother-in-law, Richard S. Donley. She is survived by her husband, James Joseph; her six sons and four daughters-in-law, James (Samantha), Michael, Brian (Allison), Peter (fiancee Ynyra), Gregory (Meredith), and Charles (Blythe); seventeen grandchildren, Anne, John, Olivia, Mary Grace, Abigail, Peter, Katherine, James, Luke, Bridget, Loeffler, Clara, Francis, Charles, Theodore, Welles, and Blythe; twelve siblings; and seventy-five nieces and nephews. Patty attended Our Lady of Mercy Academy (OLOMA) for high school and remained lifelong friends with her classmates, still gathering with them annually. After high school, she crossed Pennsylvania to attend Rosemont College, where she met and fell in love with a Villanova University student, Jim. Patty and Jim married on July 31, 1976, and became partners in everything as employees at Federated Investors; as creators of a beautiful beach home and a Montana resort; as devoted parents to six sons; and as loving and true spouses in their fiftieth year of marriage. Patty was an active member of every community she belonged to: she served as President of the St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind; President of the 25 Club of Magee-Womens Hospital; Vice-President of the Board for Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh and Trustee for Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida; founder of the Commonwealth Education Organization; President of the Keewaydin Island Community Association; and, numerous family boards and trusts. Patty lived her Catholic faith by attending daily Mass; supporting Catholic schools through service to the Golden Apple Awards, Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh, and Ave Maria University; pilgrimages to Medjugorje; and, through her prayers, helped bring three daughters-in-law to the Church. Patty lived an active life as a teacher of water skiing to her boys and by perfecting her snow skiing under the tutelage of filmmaker Warren Miller and Stein Erikson. Though the mountains were not her preferred climate, she led her family in Montana for more than a decade, and she got to live on the island paradise of Keewaydin Island with Jim. In Heaven, she will enjoy the warmth and brightness of God's love for all eternity. On the morning of August 22, 2025, Patricia passed away peacefully at the age of 71, at her home. Visitation and funeral were held on Aug. 23, 24, and 25. Arrangements by JOHN A. FREYVOGEL SONS INC., (freyvogelfuneralhome.com), 4900 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15213. Remembrances may be made to Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh (aquinasacademy-pittsburgh.org) and Ave Maria University (avemaria.edu).