SALEM - Patricia M. Carr, 84, of Salem passed away peacefully in her sleep at Benchmark Senior Living at Putnam Farm in Danvers after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Patricia, fondly known as "Pat" by family and friends, was born at The J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody, MA on November 30, 1940, to the late Alice (Dupuis) and John Ryan. Pat was a lifelong resident of Salem, where she graduated from St. James School in 1958. Following graduation she went to work for New England Telephone's Northeast Accounting in Salem, where she would be promoted from entry level position to supervisor and then to manager.

On November 24 1965, the night before Thanksgiving, she married Brian M. Carr. Before starting a family they enjoyed day trips to ski at Mt. Cranmore in North Conway, NH, often with Brian's three younger brothers in tow, hitching a ride in the backseat of their 1962 Volkswagen Bug.

Pat enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her family. Although she never strapped on a pair of skis again after her children were born, North Conway, NH remained a favorite family vacation destination. She also loved spending summer days with her young family at West Beach in Beverly Farms, and she spent countless hours cheering on Brian and Kristen as they competed in a variety of sports from elementary school through high school.

When Brian and Pat's children were still young Pat went to work at the Cabot Market Letter, a stock investment newsletter. Pat spent approximately 30 years with the company and was fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful people there throughout her career.

If Pat had a motto it would have been "shop 'til you drop." She loved shopping for clothes for Brian, Sr. and the kids, and later in life was thrilled when she had grandchildren to shop for as well. Pat was not just a shopper - she was a professional bargain hunter.

Pat enjoyed traveling. After Brian and Kristen had grown up she and Brian, Sr. became annual passholders at Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. She enjoyed traveling to the West Coast to visit Kristen at her home in San Diego and the two of them drove cross country. Pat and Kristen also visited Ireland together.

Pat was a talented singer, a skill she inherited from her father. Although never a performer, she did make one public appearance, singing at the wedding of her son Brian and daughter-in-law, Jennifer. She enjoyed attending concerts at local venues with family members and went to many New England Beach Boys concerts with Brian, Sr. and Brian, Jr.

Pat was a proud grandmother and showered her two grandchildren, Alexa and Brandon, with more love (and clothing!) than one could ever imagine. For many summers, "Auntie" Kristen would come home from California and the three generations would visit Story Land, reliving memories from the 1970s and 1980s and making brand new memories with Alexa and Brandon, who always looked forward with anticipation to the annual family trip to North Conway and Story Land.

Although Pat's long battle with Alzheimer's Disease eventually robbed her of her memory, her love for her family and her joy for life were present until the very end. Whether it was a hug from her grandchildren, an ice cream sundae, or a big bowl of Hobbs popcorn, Pat found the joy in each moment, and even though she forgot about each moment shortly after it ended, it brought comfort to her loved ones that she could still find the pure happiness in life so many times each day.

Pat is survived by her husband of sixty years, Brian Carr, who cared for her at home around the clock for the final years of her life, until the final five weeks when she required more specialized care. She is also survived by her daughter, Kristen Carr of San Diego, CA; her son, Brian Carr, Jr. and daughter-in-law Jennifer of Salem; her grandchildren, Alexa and Brandon Carr of Salem; her sister, Maureen ("Micki") Scott of Peabody; her sister, Kathleen ("Kathy") Wilczenski and her husband, Edmund ("Eddie") of Marshfield; her brother, John Ryan, Jr. ("Jackie") and his wife, Jennifer of Salem; and her sister, Mary Alice ("Mimi") Little and her husband, Michael of Salem. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, a great, great niece and a great, great nephew.

ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Pat's visitation which will be held at O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) SALEM on Thursday, May 8th, 2025 from 4 PM to 7 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Pat's Funeral Mass which will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 3 Margin St., Peabody on Friday, May 9th at 11 A.M. (please meet at the church). A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat's memory to The Alzheimer's Association at Alzheimer's Association Tribute Donation . To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

Alzheimer's Association
P.O. Box 96011, Washington DC 20090-6011
Web: https://www.alz.org/