Mary Jane (Shunk) Pattie

Mary Jane Pattie dedicated her life to the service of others. This beautiful expression of love through service was evident through her actions every day, provided to her family through her role as wife and mother, and extended to the Gilroy community at large, including people Mary Jane knew, and many she never met. To anyone reading this who may not have had the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Pattie in life, her service and support modeled a style of love and transcendent care difficult to convey with words. Nevertheless, empathy, compassion, and selflessness are a few that come to mind.

Born 1928 in New Jersey to William and Martha Shunk, Mary Jane met her beloved Frank Pattie during the Second World War and was married shortly after the war in 1949; she was only 19 years old. They conceived two girls, both of whom died tragically before their time. Nancy passed from cancer at age 3 and 1/2, and Judy died at age 18 months, both events occurring within two months. Through all the early misfortune, Mary Jane and Frank found solace in a love for Jesus Christ and the Christian church. These early tragedies paved a philosophical foundation for what would result in a lifetime of continued service to anyone in mourning, in need of comfort, incarcerated, requiring a hand-up, or simply in need of a friend. Frank and Mary Jane were quoted for an editorial in the Gilroy Dispatch, "those early losses changed our lives, our values and everything else."

Hearing of another's loss, it was not uncommon for Mary Jane to call someone, or even at times show up and knock on a door, saying "I heard about your loss and if you'd like, I can come sit with you." She was not preaching, teaching, or promising that everything will be fine. She might make a pot of tea. Sit. Perhaps saying little, but often sharing stories on the deaths of her first two daughters. She identified with others' losses and could simultaneously envision a hope for the future. Much of this newly discovered hope was found through the birth of her following two children, Steven in 1952, and Linda in 1956.

This forward-looking family of four moved from the East Coast in 1959, first settling in Mountain View, and eventually moving to Gilroy in 1967, where they would live for the rest of their lives.

Mary Jane enjoyed being a homemaker. When her family was young, she loved welcoming the kids as they returned from school and having dinner ready for the whole family in the evening, freshly prepared. She loved cooking, canning, sewing, gardening, and working in the family apple orchard on Redwood Retreat Road. She also enjoyed buying, collecting, and selling antiques.

Mary Jane's life alongside Frank's was defined, in a significant way, by active leadership in the community, and advocate work, especially on behalf of seniors. This led to her being a founder of Live Oak Adult Day Care Center, Wheeler Manor Housing, and St. Louise Hospital Auxiliary, where she served as president for many years. Among other organizations, she also was an active volunteer with Gilroy Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. She and Frank also were members of Gilroy Presbyterian Church as elders, deacons, and singers in the choir, and enjoyed participating with the Gilroy Garlic Festival for many decades. Both were recipients of numerous prestigious awards for their service, yet Mary Jane once shared with a newspaper how surprised she was when people would comment or write about "all the things we're involved in because it seems like nothing to us." That was Mary Jane Pattie.

In her last days she was surrounded by those who loved her-her two living children, Steve and Linda; her grandchildren, Nathan and Lucas; great-grandson Adler Lane; a loving caregiver named Glory; numerous close friends and neighbors, and beloved animals Chance and Tama.

It was a beautiful morning at the farm when she passed, and toward the end she expressed looking forward to being reunited with Frank and those first two children who had gone before.

She is survived by her son, Steven Pattie; daughter Linda Pattie and her spouse Carol Estey; grandson Nathan Pattie and wife Katherine; grandson Lucas Pattie and wife Megan; and great-grandson Adler Lane Pattie.

A celebration of this remarkable woman is being held on Saturday, August 7, at 10:30 AM, at Gilroy Presbyterian Church, 1600 Miller Ave. All are welcome.

Published in Gilroy Dispatch · July 21, 2021