Patricia A. Eagan
Patricia A. “Pat” Eagan, a longtime Beacon resident, died Saturday, October 10, 2009, at Thompson House, Rhinebeck. She was 90.
Born on February 8, 1919, in Peekskill, she was the daughter of Peter Gabriel and Mary Mihaelczyk Dziadik. She married John T. Eagan on June 2, 1941 in Peekskill. Mr. Eagan predeceased her on July 8, 1980.
Mrs. Eagan graduated with a New York State Regents diploma from Peekskill High School in 1936, where she was a member of the Tri-Hi Girls Club and Girls Reserves. She also graduated from McDowell School of Design in Fine Arts Sewing in 1938 and also attended Dutchess County Community College.
She worked at Macy’s Department Store in New York City, where one of her earliest assignments was hemming dresses for Kate Smith, a nationally famous singer.
She was a parishioner of St. Joachim-St. John the Evangelist Church and a member of Howland Cultural Center, Beacon Historical Society, Mount Gulian Historical Society, Peekskill Museum, Catholic Daughters, St. Fancis Hospital Auxiliary, and Beacon Sloop Club. She was formerly a member of Hudson River Restoration, where she coordinated refreshments at the launching of the sloop, Clearwater, in South Bristol, ME. When the Clearwater sailed from Maine to the Hudson River on her maiden voyage, Patricia served refreshments to then New York City Mayor, John Lindsay, in New York Harbor. She volunteered for many years at the Clearwater Restoration Festivals, working in the kitchen serving food to the volunteers. She also volunteered at Beacon Sloop Club Strawberry and Corn Festivals.
Patricia was an accomplished quilter and seamstress. She taught quilting classes at the local YWCA, The Cotton Gin in Beacon, and at home. She sewed several quilts as fundraisers for the Fishkill Historical Society. In 1976, She and Elizabeth Scardapane sewed an original quilt depicting historical sites in Dutchess County. Their quilt was awarded First Prize at the Eastern States Exposition. In addition, she won numerous prizes at several local County Fairs for her outstanding baking and quilting.
She also was a Girl Scout troop leader and unit leader at the former Camp Foster Day Camp. She was a 20-year member of the local PTA, serving as president of the South Avenue School PTA. In 2003, she “coined” by the Dean of Education, United States Military Academy at West Point, for supporting academic excellence.
She is survived by her children, Dennis Eagan and his wife, Susan, Staatsburg; Kathy Eagan, Beacon; Roger Eagan and his wife, Gail, Wallowa, OR; Ellen Eagan and her husband, Rodney Hill, Millbrae, CA; Richard Eagan, Damariscotta, ME; her sister, Jean Arnold, Denver, CO; her sister-in-law, Anna Dziadik, Kansas City, MO; her grandchildren, Tracie, Kate, Jessa, Cory, Jen, Shalom, Beth, Daniel, and Mary; her great grandchildren, Shane, Nathan, Jacob, Emma, Riley, Toby, and Kylie and brand-new great granddaughter, Ava Grace, who joined the family October 4, 2009. She is also survived by eight nieces, seven nephews, numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Eagan was predeceased by her grandson, Thomas Eagan in 1993; son-in;law, SP5 John J. Bennett in 1970; daughter-in-law, Lena Eagan in 1980, and sisters, Kathryn Lapolla, Marion Boyle, and Eleanor DiMilia; and her brothers, Myron Dziadik and Gabriel “Skip” Dziadik.
The family will receive their friends on Tuesday, October 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Halvey Funeral Home, Inc., 24 Willow Street, Beacon.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Wednesday, October 14, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist, 31 Willow Street, Beacon.
Interment will follow in Assumption Cemetery, Peekskill.
Donations in memory of Mrs. Eagan may be made to a charity of your choice.
To send the family a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit www.halveyfh.com.
Funeral arrangements are under the supervision of Peter T. and Patrick J. Halvey.
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