Patricia Ann McMahon (née Doherty) of Rumson passed peacefully in her home of over 50 years, surrounded by her children. Born Valentine’s Day 1935, she was the epitome of her birthdate, bringing love with her throughout her long life.
Patricia was born and raised in Newark, the only daughter of Charles and Anna Doherty. She grew up in a home with five brothers: Charles “Buddy,” Jack, Gene, Bobby and Jim, all of whom she loved and who predeceased her.
Patricia attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark in 1952. A lifelong supporter of St. Vincent’s, Patricia was grateful for the rigorous curriculum that rivaled today’s university instruction. An avid reader, her lifelong quest for knowledge was an inspiration to her children and all who knew her well.
After graduation, Patricia began working at Prudential in Newark. While on a date at Cricklewood, Patricia noticed John “Jack” McMahon. Soon they were inseparable; they were married March 8, 1958. Pat joined Jack, who was in the Army, in Aschaffenburg, Germany. She frequently reminisced about their adventures throughout Europe. They returned to the United States and, in 1962, started building a family together, a project that would continue until 1975 with nine children: John, Robert, Owen, Kate, Tim, Terry, Patrick, Deirdre and Michael. Patricia took great pride in all her children’s accomplishments and was always an encouraging and loving presence in their lives.
In 1971, with their home in West Orange bursting at the seams, they brought their growing family to a large Victorian house on River Road in Rumson.
Patricia loved having the Navesink River at the end of the street. The view of the river from her bedroom window was a sight of which she never tired. She rejoiced in the bounty of fish and crabs that the river provided her growing family. Between Jack’s garden and the harvest from the river, Pat could set a summer table that rivaled any five-star restaurant.
Fueled by a love of travel and adventure, Patricia accompanied Jack on work trips, fostering new friendships wherever she went. Pat and Jack would take their children collectively and/or in pairs on many of their travels. Eventually, they acquired two vacation homes that gave them great pleasure: a condominium in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico, and a house in Harborton, Virginia.
Patricia’s great faith was instilled in her by her mother and father and nurtured by the sisters at St. Vincent’s. However, her faith was most visible in the love she had for nature – the sea and the river and flowers. More than anything else, Patricia loved babies and children. She adored all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All will miss their Gram, who always greeted them with laughter and treats.
In addition to her parents and brothers, Patricia was predeceased by Jack in June 2024. She is survived by all her children, John (Mari), Robert, Owen, Kate Sharkey (Michael), Tim (Heather), Terry (Sarah), Patrick (Ilona), Deirdre and Michael (Tracy); her grandchildren, John (Erica), Mary Barcellona (Chris), Peadar, Liam, Michael F., Zaniah, Melia, Marykate, Emmett, Aidan (Dary), William (Cailyn), Jake, Jack, Alex and Michael T.; and her great-grandchildren, Lucy, Beckett, Summer and Molly. Patricia is also survived by her sister-in-law, Roymane and her many nieces and nephews.
Patricia had a deep commitment to helping the poor and fostering social justice and change through political action and expected others to do likewise. She was devoted to the works of the Maryknoll Missioners, the Catholic Worker, St. Vincent’s Academy and a multitude of others doing good works. She truly lived a life fueled by love, faith, prayer and action.
Visitation was April 7 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was held April 8 at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Red Bank. Interment was private.
To read Patricia’s full obituary, visit thompsonmemorial.net.
The article originally appeared in the April 9 – 15, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
