Patricia N. (Harney) Rourke

DANVERS - Patricia Noreen (Harney) Rourke, of Danvers, died peacefully on April 20th, 2023, after time spent with her loving family. Patricia was married for 60 years and is survived by her husband, Thomas Rourke. She was raised in Marblehead and Salem, but made Danvers her home and lived there, raising 5 children with Tom, from 1966 until her death. She was a graduate of St. Chretienne Academy in Salem, Class of 1959, and Salem Hospital School of Nursing, Class of 1962. She was known to many, especially her 8 grandchildren and their friends, by her chosen grandmother name of “Ellen,” because, in her words, “I’ve always liked that name.”

To many, Patricia was a “hot ticket”—witty, sharp, athletic and great in a crisis. She was the daughter of Agnes Harney of Salem, who predeceased her and taught her to love books and the beach. “Pat,” or sometimes “Patty” to those who knew her when she was a child, made a career of nursing. She told her children, “In my day, a woman could only be a nurse or a teacher, and I chose nurse.” Despite this inauspicious start, she took that job and made a career she was proud of, working at many North Shore hospitals and care facilities. She was particularly proud of having trained to work in the Telemetry and Cardiac Intensive Care Units in the 1970s. She was also proud that she could, and did, work up and down the hierarchy of nursing, from part-time floater to positions in upper management. She maintained connections with her fellow Salem Hospital School of Nursing grads, among whom she was one of the longest-working; she kept up her Registered Nurse certification until she was almost 80.

Pat was always willing to go on a golf vacation as long as, for her, it involved little to no golf and was near a beach or pool! She and Tom travelled to Bermuda and Florida many times. She also travelled to Costa Rica; many U.S. states such as California, Colorado, and Georgia; and finally—very proud of her heritage—to Ireland 4 times, most recently in 2018. Pat was the person who “discovered” the joys of Quechee, Vermont, when she accompanied her daughter Kathy there for a golf tournament in the 1980s (of course, Kathy, not Pat, was playing golf!). From that time until now, she and her family have spent many relaxing—and competitive—times there golfing, skiing, swimming, learning pickleball, playing board games, and just having fun together. Quechee truly was a second home for Pat and she loved sharing its charms with family, friends, and the friends of her children and grandchildren.

Pat’s friends have been as important as her family. She was predeceased by her best friend, Colette (Cote) McIntire, with whom she attended Catholic schools, explored feminism, and raised kids. She enjoyed life-long friendships with Linda (St. Charles) Rourke, Julie (Dunn) Deeley, Susan Thomas (and the whole Thomas family), and her cousins—let’s be honest, the “girl cousins”—Margaret (Niland) Henkin and Katherine (Niland) Petkewich, who predeceased her. All of Pat’s friends, throughout her life, share her quick, often irreverent, sense of humor.

Pat took the right to vote very seriously, aware that she was only one generation away from the women in her family and country who couldn’t vote. She never missed a vote, watched the news religiously, and stayed current with all political issues. She was a champion of the oppressed who abhorred racism, valued immigrants, and believed in equal educational opportunity for all. Pat particularly loved seeing women in positions of political power. She was a big fan of Senator Elizabeth Warren and was thrilled to see the election of Massachusetts’ first all-women gubernatorial ticket, Healey-Driscoll.

Pat and her husband Tom—who worked in that other helping profession, teaching—taught their 5 children to “leave the world better than you found it” and they exemplified this directive. As a very independent woman, Pat could seem formidable, but she was a caring parent and loving companion to Tom. In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughter Kelly (Rourke) Vendetti and her husband Michael Vendetti of Utah; her son Kevin Rourke and his wife Karen Rourke of Danvers; her daughter (and next-door neighbor) Kathleen Rourke Natale and her husband Christian Natale of Danvers; her daughter Kerry Rourke and her husband Jeffrey Nicholas of Salem; and her son Keith Rourke and his wife Faith Larsen, of Medford. She also leaves 8 grandchildren, who were truly the joy of her life and her favorite way to keep up with this changing world: Aidan Natale, Colin Natale, and Julia Natale; Owen Rourke-Nicholas and Chloe Rourke-Nicholas; Tyler Vendetti; Ian Rourke and Kenzie Rourke. “Ellen” loved them all.

After retirement, Pat swam at the Danvers YMCA and volunteered there to help with the toddler swim lessons. She was also an avid reader. Donations may be made in her memory to either the Danvers Community YMCA or the Friends of The Peabody Institute Library of Danvers.

The Rourke Family wishes to thank the many excellent and kind caregivers they have encountered recently at Salem Hospital. Pat was born there, went to college there, gave birth to all 5 children there, worked there, and spent her final moments there. She felt comforted in the caregivers’ capable hands.

Finally, Pat loved to read the Obituaries in the Salem News. This one’s for you, Mom.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to attend Pat’s funeral Mass which will be held at St. Richard’s Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 9 A.M. Please meet directly at church. Visiting hours will be held at O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Tuesday, April 25th from 4 to 7 P.M. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.

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