Patricia R. (McEwen) Cooney, passed away on July 4, 2021, at her home in Gladwyne, PA.  She was 91.  Pat lived her life with boundless joy and energy, a talent for finding the positive in any situation, and an authentic interest in the lives of others.  After raising her son, Gordon, Pat devoted her professional life to philanthropic and religious causes and received Papal honors for her work with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and other numerous non-profits.

Pat was born in Englewood, NJ, on October 18, 1929, the youngest of four children, to Ruth and Charles McEwen, a general contractor who built projects in northern New Jersey, including schools and churches.  Theirs was a close family, and Pat credited them with her unfailingly positive outlook on life.  Pat's sister, Jean, went on to become the Executive Assistant to Thomas J. Watson, Jr., IBM's Chairman and CEO during its most explosive growth period.  Her oldest brother, Bob, was killed during combat in the Pacific while serving in the Army in WWII.  And her surviving brother, named Charles but always called "Mack," served in the Navy in WWII before going on to a successful business career with IBM and its one-time affiliate, Control Data.  A talented student with a nimble mind, Pat was awarded the Chemistry Medal by her teacher at St. Cecilia's High School--the legendary Vince Lombardi, who went on to coach the Green Bay Packers and after whom the Super Bowl Trophy is named.  Pat received an honorary doctorate from the St. Charles Borromeo Theological Seminary in 1991.

Pat married the love of her life, J. Gordon Cooney, in 1957.  In part because of her devotion to country, she always talked fondly of Gordon's years of service with the Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C..  They relocated to the Philadelphia area in 1963, when Gordon became a partner with Schnader, Harrison, Segal & Lewis, the firm with which he remained until he retired.

After raising their son, Gordon, Jr., Pat threw herself into philanthropy.  She served for six years on the Board and the Executive Committee of the United Way; she served for more than 20 years on the Special Gifts Committee of the Catholic Charities Appeal, and Chaired its Appeal in 1983; she was a member of the Council of Managers of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and she served on many other boards, including Catholic Charities, the Village of Devine Providence; St. Edmonds Home for Crippled Children; Don Guannella Village; St. Francis Country Home; and the Chapel of the Four Chaplains.  For her remarkable devotion and service, Pat was awarded Papal Honors in 1982, and she was knighted with the Lady Order of St. Gregory in 1998.

Pat is survived by her son, Gordon, Jr., a partner with Morgan Lewis; her grandson, Jack; her daughter-in-law, Gretchen; and her brother, Mack.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Viewing on Friday July 9th from 6 to 8 PM at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore or on Saturday July 10th from 9:30 to 10:15 AM at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Rd., Gladwyne where a Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in West Conshohocken.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made either to United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern NJ, where Pat and Gordon, Jr. both served at different times on the Executive Committee and Board (checks payable to UWGPSNJ, note: Mrs. Cooney on memo line, 1800 JFK Blvd., Suite 1200, Phila PA 19103), or to St. John Vianney Parish Scholarship Fund (checks payable to St. John Vianney Parish, note:  Scholarship Fund- Mrs. Cooney on memo line, 1110 Vaughn Lane, Gladwyne PA 19035).