Patricia “Pat” Eagan Cluthe
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Patricia “Pat” Eagan Cluthe
Devoted mother, wife, nurse and friend
October 10, 1942 – September 6, 2024
Pat Cluthe, 81, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 6, 2024, in her assisted living apartment at Pioneer Ridge Community in Lawrence, Kansas with her two daughters by her side.
Pat was born on October 10, 1942, in Easton, PA, to Henry William and Miriam Gentel Eagan. The second oldest of six kids, Pat loved her five siblings and often shared stories of their adventures while growing up.
Pat attended Red Bank Catholic High School in Red Bank, NJ and in 1968, she graduated from the University of Rochester with a degree in nursing. During her stint at the University of Rochester, she spent a year studying in London, England as the first nursing exchange student at Guy’s Hospital. In 1969, at the height of the Vietnam war, Pat told her parents that she wanted to serve as a nurse in Vietnam. Upon hearing this news, her father asked her to take 2 weeks to think it over before enlisting. It was during these two weeks that she met her husband, Peter “Pete” Alfred Cluthe, in a bar on the New Jersey coast. Pete was celebrating his birthday with his friends just like she was. They shared the same birthday! The rest, as they say, is history. Peter Alfred Cluthe and Patricia Anne Eagan were married on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1970, at the Molly Pitcher Hotel in Red Bank, NJ.
Pat and Pete were the proud parents to four children; Maura, Tracey, Peter and Matt. Moving from New Jersey to Maryland to Ohio to Michigan and then to Texas in 1984, Pat worked as an emergency room nurse, a hospice nurse and a critical care unit (CCU) nurse. In 2004, her husband Pete, who had been battling ALS, passed away. After his passing, Pat began traveling to Peru every year to Operacion San Andres with other doctors and nurses, to help provide health and dental care to people in the remote village of Collique, Peru. Upon her retirement in 2007, Pat was the head nurse of the CCU and ICU at Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, TX. In January 2008, wanting to be closer to her children and grandchildren, she moved to Lawrence, KS, 45 minutes west of Kansas City.
Pat loved spending time with her family and friends (especially doting on her grandchildren!), was drawn to large bodies of water, loved to travel and experience new things and was a voracious reader. She loved a glass of red wine, good coffee and simply hanging out. Oftentimes, when her kids were little, she would take them to the library and come home with a huge stack of books that she’d read in a week! This love of reading lasted throughout her lifetime; she always had a new book that she was eager to read. Pat was also an amazing cook. Not only did she cook all sorts of dishes from different parts of the world, she also was able to convince her kids (or, Maura at least!) that carrots were sweets! (It wasn’t until 4th grade that Maura was told that carrots were not sweets but were actually vegetables!)
She always made time for others, was genuinely interested in what you had to say, and treated others with respect. Pat’s unwavering faith guided her throughout her life. As she approached death, she embraced her next chapter anticipating seeing her husband Pete once again. She will be missed dearly.
Pat is predeceased by her parents, Henry and Miriam Eagan, and siblings, Richard Eagan, Peter Eagan and Suzanne Eagan Wynne.
She is survived by her brother, Anthony Eagan, and his wife, Alexandra, of Nashville, TN; and her sister, Mary Carol Eagan of Atlantic Highlands, NJ; daughters, Maura Gale Cluthe, and her husband Jake Fowler, of Kansas City, MO, and Tracey Cluthe English, and her husband Chris English, of Lawrence, KS.; sons, Peter Henry Cluthe, and his wife Sara Paquette, of Lawrence, KS and Matthew Frederick Cluthe, and his wife Laurel Williamson Cluthe, of Houston, TX, and her six grandchildren, Abby English, Keely English, Connor English, Libby English, Peter Cluthe and May Cluthe.
A visitation will be held at 10:00 am, followed by a rosary prayer at 10:30 am, and a funeral mass at 11:00 am at Corpus Christi Catholic Church on Monday, September 23, 2024.
Memorial contributions may be made to Operacion San Andres and sent to Warren McElwain Mortuary 120 W. 13th St. Lawrence, KS 66044.
What a beautiful obituary. Pat was an extraordinary woman and I was so fortunate to have her for a dear friend. She will be very missed but I know she is in is a special place with her beloved Pete. Luv you Pat. ❤️
What a beautiful life she lived . I remember Ms Pat being so kind , helpful and compassionate towards me when I was just a “ baby nurse .” Then when she became our Manager Pat was always so encouraging and generous . What a beautiful soul she was , will be missed very much .
Pat was a very special person, wonderful nurse/ Boss , ver beautiful lady, she will be missed a lot, I loved her dearly n always enjoyed working with her. Praying for her soul to b in eternal peace, and condolences to her wonderful families , she always treasure them.
Pat was the one who took a chance on me, hiring me as a new ICU nurse despite my lack of experience. I am deeply grateful to her for giving me the chance to succeed. She was incredibly caring and warm and I will always remember her kindness.
I will echo how amazing this woman was. She welcomed me as a new pharmacist into her unit with open arms. She will always have such a special place in my heart and memory. I feel blessed to have known her. My sincerest condolences to her family.
Our most heartfelt sympathy to the entire family during this difficult time. We pray and wish that all the sweet memories bring you comfort and strength.
Pat will always hold a special place in my heart. I will cherish fond remembrances of our many experiences together. I know she is with the angels.
The Ladies at St John’s Rummage House extend our condolences to the family for your loss. Pat was a treasured volunteer
at the Rummage House and much appreciated for her work there. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Pat used to read in the south sitting room at Pioneer Ridge because the light was good. We became acquainted through those books and eventually shared life stories. I loved her kind and gentle spirit, the way she listened, her quiet giggle, her acceptance. It makes me sad to have known her for such a short time and at the same time so happy to have known her at all. She will be missed and remembered with love.
We are heart-sick to read about Pat’s passing. I loved Pat! She was the kindest, warmest and most genuine woman who loved her family deeply. I loved listening to her talk about her travels, the books she was reading and most of all, the special times she spent with her lovely grandchildren. She was so very proud of her family which was her greatest pride and joy!
Pat, I will miss sharing our annual birthday lunch this October but what a blessing knowing you are eternally celebrating your shared birthday with Pete, the love of your life.
Pat will live in my heart forever.❣️
Pat was very dear to me. As everyone has shared she always made you feel special. Always listened and shared her life experiences. Such an amazing woman.
We shared a special bond in our religion and I will treasure that connection.
So glad I was able to meet her family at her 80th birthday, Maura, Tracey, Pete and Matt. It helped put faces with her many stories. Thank you for sharing her in our life. Prayers to you all.
My condolences to the family. Pat was an extraordinary human. I met Pat when o was a new leader at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital. I always admired her knowledge, leadership, and dedication to her patients and her team. I had the please of going to Peru with Pat and had a wonderful time with her – she talked frequently of her family and how proud, happy and grateful that God blessed her with you all. I admired her and was thankful that she was my mentor. Praying for strength, comfort and a sense of peace in the days and weeks to come.
Emer and I saddened to learn about our dear Pat’s passing. We will always remember her beautiful smiles; how she had touched so many lives-mine included,
grateful we got the chance to know her and worked with her.
We are praying that she rest in peace and sending our deepest condolences to her family.