PATRICIA ANN O’NEILL (2024)

O’NEILL, PATRICIA ANN Patricia Ann O’Neill, age 70, of Fort Collins, Colorado, died April 18, 2010, at her home in Fort Collins surrounded by her husband and daughters. A celebration of life and Catholic Mass/Memorial Service will be held at noon Friday, April 30, 2010, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (5450 S. Lemay Avenue, Fort Collins, CO). Patricia, or Patty as she was affectionately known, was born April 18, 1940, in Saint Louis, Missouri, to George and Dolores Steffen. Patty attended City House Academy and graduated from Maryville College in 1962. She began dating John “Jack” James O’Neill in 1957. They married on “4/4/64.” While still in Saint Louis, their first child, Erin, was born. After Jack’s graduation from Saint Louis University Medical School and joining the Navy, in 1966 they moved to Great Lakes, Illinois, where daughters Maureen and Kelly were born. The young family was stationed in Keflavik, Iceland for two years, where they were blessed with opportunities to travel and explore the European continent. Inspired by the beauty of Colorado on a childhood vacation, Patty was convinced they should consider making Colorado their home once Jack left the Navy. In 1972, the family settled in Fort Collins where Jack began his OB/GYN practice, which lasted 33 years. They joined the community at John the XXIII University Parish which, in addition to providing a rich, strong network of family friends, also planted seeds in Patty that left her thirsting for ever greater spiritual growth. She supported John XXXIII’s Theologian-in-Residence Program as it strove to encourage education and understanding by way of reason, drawing college students into the Catholic faith. Family experiences included travels around the world and wild adventures with cows, horses, and tractors at a family farm in nearby Timnath, CO. Patty was an involved and wonderful mother, Girl Scout leader, community volunteer, good friend and caring wife. An expert shopper, Patty enjoyed her outings with friends searching for antiques as well as scouring the weekly grocery ads for the best deals, using her purchases and cooking prowess to craft many delicious meals. In 1979, the family was blessed and surprised with the addition of daughter Tricia. Patty reveled in once again parenting a small child while shepherding her older daughters through their teenage years. In the early 1980’s, Patty was involved in the birth of Fort Collins’ new Catholic parish, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton (SEAS). During the 1990s, she attended the Denver Catholic Biblical School, and later helped establish and co-chair the SEAS Women’s Group in 1993. She was a member of the Archdiocese of Denver Emmaus committee, an ecumenical program which strived to foster Christian unity and to challenge and support one another in faithful living. Then, seeking “the fresh wind of God’s spirit,” she attended Regis University in Denver, obtained her Master of Arts in (Christian) Community Leadership in 2001, and graduated the same day as daughter Tricia received her undergraduate degree from Regis. For years, Patty led RCIA for SEAS, bringing so many people into the faith. She became liturgist at SEAS, striving to “use [her] skills to further God’s reign.” For several years, she enjoyed pursuing further enlightenment through the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, CA. Patty also served as a speaker for Women’s Retreats at St. Malo’s, Mom’s Groups, and Bible study groups. She served on the original Advisory Board to establish the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at CSU, thus imparting her gifts and passion upon the greater academic community. Patty was a brilliant woman. Her ability to integrate history, language, philosophy, spirituality and theology into daily life was astounding, and her sharing of these gifts with her husband, family, and community was truly unique. Through the years, Patty witnessed the marriages of her daughters and the welcome additions of her eight grandchildren. Patty and Jack enjoyed bringing all generations together from grandchildren to Great Nana Dolores, sharing trips to Mexico, Napa Valley, Georgia, Virginia, D.C., New Orleans, Florida, and Europe. Patty’s trip to the Holy Land melded her love for travel with her strong faith. Jack and Patty joyously celebrated their 40th anniversary with their four daughters in Santa Fe. After retirement, Patty and Jack seized the opportunity to travel to the Czech Republic, New Zealand, Australia and Fiji. Patty was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in April 2007, after which she had two active years celebrating life fully with friends and family. She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Jack, daughters Erin (Bob) Boselli of Edwards, Maureen (Paul) Hartigan of Erie, Kelly (Karl) Brown of Elizabeth, and Tricia (Michael) Wolpoff of Huntington Beach, CA, and brother Daniel Steffen of Beachhaven Park, NJ. In addition, she is survived by eight grandchildren: Meg, Katy, and Tara Hartigan; Kevin, Molly, and Sean Boselli; and Jessica and Cody Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents. Please help us celebrate Patty’s life by visiting her memorial website at www.AlpineTG.com/Patty . Here you can share stories and other tributes. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Catholic Relief Services, 228 West Lexington St., Baltimore, MD 21201-3413.