Patricia "Pat" Agnes (Martens) Seeley

Patricia “Pat” Agnes (Martens) Seeley

Patricia “Pat” Agnes (Martens) Seeley, age 88, of Mechanicsburg, went to heaven where she was embraced by her son, Brian, on Friday, January 6, 2023.  She was born on Wednesday, December 19, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Rudolph Bernard Martens and Agnes Mary (Gavin) Martens.

Mom worked as a registered nurse for more than 40 years while raising seven (7) children.  She retired from Polyclinic Hospital in 1999.  She came from that generation of women who bravely faced adversity with little complaint and who did not seek, or expect, sympathy from anyone.   She was fiercely independent and determined to face life on her own terms.  Mom was also a woman of contradictions, as evidenced by her decision, after she retired, to drive cross-country by herself, despite the fact that while she was working, she only knew one route to get to work.

Mom loved to have her family around.  Knowing her children were in the house brought her comfort and satisfaction.  She asked little from her children other than a card on her birthday.  Flowers, dinners and gifts were accepted but did not release the giver from the obligation to send a card.

Like many women of her era, Mom did not always outwardly show her emotions, preferring to let her actions speak for her.  She attended numerous baptisms, first communions, graduations, and weddings not only for her children, but also for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in California, Colorado, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, New York, and Rhode Island.  She showed her love by being present for the important moments in their lives.

Mom will be greatly missed by her children: Terrence “Terry” Seeley and his wife, Lynda; Kathleen “Kathy” Whitehead and her husband, Gary; Eileen Seeley and her husband, Chip; Michael Seeley and his wife, Macy; Colleen Gerber and her husband, Kenny; Patrick Seeley and his wife, Patty; and Timothy Seeley and his partner, Meghan; her 11 grandchildren: Brian Whitehead (Becca), James Whitehead (Heather), Katie Seeley (Sean), Michael Seeley (Kaitlyn); Theresa Burnham (Chris), Jacqueline Burnham, Luke Seamans, Jack Seamans, Abigail Seeley, Hagan Seeley and Lindsay Seeley; her 9 great-grandchildren.; her two nephews, Kevin McKenna and Charles McKenna; and her niece, Mary Pat Wesley.  In addition to her parents, Pat is preceded in death by her son, Brian T. Seeley, and her sister, Dolores Mary McKenna.

All are welcome to join Pat’s family at her gathering of family and friends on Friday, January 13, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:15 a.m. all at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 410 East Simpson Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Reverend Kenneth C. Roth celebrating.  Pat’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food, ice cream and fellowship at 12:45 p.m. at Buhrig’s Gathering Place, 25 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, (717) 766-3421 (next to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory).  Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio at the family’s convenience.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in lieu of flowers and in celebration of Pat’s life can be made to The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, 321 Norristown Road Suite 260, Ambler, PA 19002, https://rb.gy/y5nppj.

Pat’s family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral Home & Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Pat’s full obituary, view her memorial video and portrait, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.