Patricia S. McHugh (née Silcox), formerly of Haverford passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025, at Waverly Heights in Gladwyne at the age of 90.

Patty was predeceased by her parents, Mary Love Van Haagen and John D. Silcox Sr., and her siblings, Mary Gleason (Francis), and her twin brothers, D. Howard Silcox II and Reverend John D. Silcox Jr.

She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas J. McHugh Sr., with whom she shared 52 wonderful years of marriage. Patty was the devoted mother of Thomas J. McHugh Jr. (Megan), Mary Love "Polly" Richman (Marc), Josephine M. Quigley (Christopher), Edmund H. McHugh (Miriam), and Allegra M. Cosgrave (Michael). She was blessed with 14 grandchildren: Thomas III, Grace, and Claudia McHugh; Samuel and Curry Richman; Christopher (Mackenzie), Thomas, and Sarah Jane Quigley; Edmund H. Jr., Kieran, and Elisabeth McHugh; and Allegra P., Perry, and Tess Cosgrave.

Born and raised in the Overbrook section of Philadelphia, Patty cherished her childhood memories, particularly those made during World War II. At just eight years old, she sang at war bond rallies and she fondly recalled taking the trolley to the movies on 69th Street with her siblings. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes for grammar school and later Mater Misericordia Academy with her sister "Bobby" and cousins, Eileen and Marie Louise "Babe" Silcox. At both Lourdes and Mater Misericordia, Patty made friendships that lasted a lifetime. As editor of the school paper and lead in the operettas, Patty developed a passion for leadership and creativity which she exhibited throughout her life.

Though she chose not to attend college, Patty's path was no less extraordinary. She attended business school and went on to work at Jefferson Hospital, where she was part of the team under the legendary Dr. John Gibbon, who invented the heart-lung machine used in open-heart surgeries. Patty played a key role in editing Dr. Gibbon's articles published in the prestigious Annals of Surgery. Remarkably, decades later, that same heart-lung machine would be used during her husband Tom's successful bypass surgery.

While working at Jefferson, Patty met Tom McHugh on a blind date.  A woman who knew a good thing when she saw one, she proposed to Tom on April 1, 1956 and they were married in December that same year. Together, they raised their five children and one rambunctious labrador retriever, named Beatrice. Patty and Tom shared many joyful moments with family and friends at their homes in Haverford, Avalon, NJ and Bluffton, SC.

In addition to being a devoted wife and mother, Patty was actively involved in her children's schools and various charitable organizations. She was a wonderful cook and took great pride in hosting family gatherings with her ever-growing family. Patty was thrilled to welcome her two daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, and 14 grandchildren into the family.

Patty and Tom were members at the Merion Cricket Club, where she was a member for over 40 years, as well as Colleton River Club in Bluffton, SC, Stone Harbor Yacht Club, Ironwood Country Club in Palm Desert, CA and Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. FL

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Friday, January 24, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, 350 Conshohocken State Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035. Interment will be private for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Patty's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.