Patricia (O'Neal) Schmitt

Patricia O’Neal Schmitt

August 9, 1931 – June 21, 2022

Patricia, daughter of Frederick Joseph and Lillian Jones O’Neal, was raised in South Weymouth and summered in Waquoit, MA. She was a 1949 graduate of Notre Dame Academy, Granby St. Boston and a 1953 graduate of Trinity College, Washington, D.C. receiving a BA in Chemistry. Patricia enjoyed telling stories of her early life working at the Dewey and Almy Chemical Company in Cambridge, MA and at the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh, PA. Patricia and Harry James Schmitt Jr. of Pittsburgh, PA were wed on August 18, 1956, at St. Anthony’s Church in East Falmouth, MA.

Patricia dedicated her life to raising her six children and lifelong work for the Catholic Church. She began by teaching CCD at St Rita’s Parish in Marion in the 60’s and later served as the Director of the Charismatic Renewal and sat on the National Service Committee as a representative for the Diocese of Fall River. Pat and Harry together established and led a weekly charismatic prayer group and coordinated the adoration of the blessed sacrament at St. Rita’s Parish for many years. In 1995, she began a new ministry by assisting Fr. Edward McDonough and his Healing and Restoration Ministry at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Boston whereby she coordinated the healing services across Southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. For the past ten years, she hosted a ministry in her home she called “Heart of Jesus, House of Prayer”, a monthly gathering for adult faith development and intercessory prayer. In addition, she was a member of the Association of Christian Therapists attending annual conferences across the country to support of her healing and prayer ministries. For her lifelong service to the Church, she was awarded the Marian Medal from Bishop George W Coleman of the Fall River Diocese on December 4, 2005 at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption.

Pat and Harry enjoyed their several family pilgrimages to the Marian Shrines at Quebec and Montreal, and the shrines overseas at Knock (Ireland), Lourdes (France), Fatima (Portugal), Garabandal (Spain) and Medjugorje (Yugoslavia). Her greatest love was the time she shared with her children and grandchildren and celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary with her husband, in-laws from Pittsburgh, first cousins and her dearest classmates of Trinity College on August 18, 2006.

Patricia passed away peacefully after a brief illness at her home on June 21, 2022. She was predeceased by her husband, Harry J Schmitt, Jr, her brother, Fredrick J O’Neal, Jr, (Lucille) Mashpee, MA and her son, Stephen P Schmitt (Catherine) Medford, NJ. She is survived by her children, Ellen A Hyatt (George) Hampton, NH, Harry James Schmitt III (Mary) South Nashua, NH, Kerry A Scott (Robert) Southold, NY, Attorney Matthew J Schmitt (Lisa) Bourne, MA and Timothy O Schmitt (Carolyn) Denver, CO. Patricia was the beloved grandmother of twenty-three grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on July 7, 2022, at St Anthony’s Church, East Falmouth at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Missionaries of Charity, 556 County St, New Bedford, MA 02740.