Andreassi

Patricia Jane Bridget Harmon Andreassi, formerly Patty Harmon, has ended her earthly sojourn to be united with her heavenly family.

The daughter of James and Mary (Rayburg) Harmon, Pat was the youngest of six children. She enjoyed an oft-idyllic childhood in the quaint riverside town of Bradys Bend. Although at age 14 she lost her beloved father following an automobile accident, and she fretted as all of her siblings served in the armed forces, Pat cultivated optimism, even becoming a cheerleader at East Brady High School.

An adjacent family business meant that music, ice cream and friends were always just next door. She is fondly remembered as the girl with nice dresses who always made newcomers and those with less feel welcome and appreciated.

Pat worked at Mellon Bank and attended Duquesne University, where she quickly ascended to the dean's list. By age 20, she gave up her employment and studies to start a family. She married Raymond A. Andreassi, and the couple moved to Franklin, then to Butler. Some years and five children later, irreconcilable differences arose, and she became head of the household.

She returned to the workforce, commencing a lengthy career in civil service. Following 17 years with the U.S. Government Office of Personnel Management, she retired as a case examiner.

In time, it became clear that her spiritual bond with Raymond persisted, and she reunited with him.

Pat first suffered a brain tumor in the early 1970s. With symptoms that were novel at the time, the tumor was misdiagnosed until her sister, luckily a nurse whose husband was a doctor, insisted she pursue a specialist. She found an excellent neurosurgeon in Pittsburgh, but the prospect was at that point grim. A mother of five and barely 40, she put her trust in the Lord and opted to undergo a high-risk surgery. She survived the experimental procedure, but emerged with permanent paralysis on the left side of her face. She never once complained.

Pat went on to live richly, though she was best known as a non-materialistic and selfless person. She traveled extensively, logging multiple cross-country road trips, tropical cruises, and treks to European destinations.

She was active in the Butler Junior Women's Club and Intermediate League. She was an avid card player, belonging to two card clubs for several decades, where she forged close, lasting friendships, and is still cherished.

Devoutly religious, Pat was a parishioner of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church. She educated her children in the Butler Catholic School system, sat on the parish council and performed in the hand bell choir.

Her next highest sense of duty was to homemaking. There was no sacrifice too great for her children, and she loved others' as her own. Amidst turbulence, she created a haven. Her homemade bread and pies were legendary. A daily sense of duty and the joy of giving praise to God sustained her, even as brain tumors began reappearing in the 1990s.

Time and again, she beat long odds. She offered her suffering to the Blessed Mother and to the improvement of medicine. After a valiant struggle, she entered eternal rest early Thursday morning from her home in Butler.

Pat joins her brothers, George, James "Rip", J. Richard "Dick" and Paul "Gus" Harmon, and her sister, Mary Lillian Harmon Pick, in the afterlife.

Here on earth, she is lovingly celebrated by her ex-husband and permanent soul mate Raymond, son Timothy, and daughter Mary, all of Butler; son John of Virginia Beach; daughters Jane of New Rochelle, N.Y., and Nancy of Harrison, N.Y.; grandchildren, Kelly Bowser, Daniel Lafferty and Marissa and Evan Andreassi of Butler and Joseph Bowser of Fort Worth, TX; and an abundance of adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and godchildren.

<B>ANDREASSI</B> — Viewing for Patricia Jane Bridget Harmon Andreassi, who died Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006, will be held from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the <B>Geibel Funeral Home</B>, 201 E. Jefferson St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St.Rite of Committal will be immediately following Mass at St. Mary Cemetery, Bradys Bend.Those wishing to commemorate Pat's extraordinary life may donate in her memory to: The National Brain Tumor Foundation, 22 Battery St., Suite 612, San Francisco, CA 94111-5520. Donations may be made anonymously or with notice to the family. Checks should be payable the National Brain Tumor Foundation and note "Patricia Harmon Andreassi" or "Patricia J. Andreassi" in the memo portion. Donations are accepted online via credit or debit card at www.braintumor.org — choose the "Honor or Memorial" link.Information also is available at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.