Patricia "Pat" Garey

Patricia “Pat” Garey, 80, of Wilmington, DE, passed away at her home in Wilmington, DE surrounded by family on April 22, 2026 after courageously battling ongoing health issues.

Patricia was born September 20, 1945 in Wilmington, DE, the daughter of Maria Isabel Iriarte Garey and Gerard Stephen Garey. She was one of four children who grew up in a loving household. A devout Catholic, she was a member of the St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church community nearly all of her life.

Patricia graduated from Ursuline Academy, an all-girls Catholic high school, in Wilmington, DE, then enrolled in the College of Saint Elizabeth in New Jersey, earning a Bachelor’s degree in English. 

Patricia served as Vice President of Proactive Grants for the Raskob Foundation for Charitable Activities from 1979 to 2011. Among her accomplishments during 32 years of service, Patricia stewarded the Foundation's grant making programs, served its focus of meeting the needs of marginalized communities and supporting the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy of the Catholic Church, and shepherded the Raskob family's legacy of Catholic service. Patricia was tireless in her care for and attention to applicants from around the world.

Patricia loved equestrianism, was an avid horseback rider, and raised two horses Cindy and Raka. She liked to travel and experience different cultures, living in Madrid Spain (she was fluent in Spanish) and Southern Florida. She enjoyed spending time with her family at the shore in Ocean City, MD. She was a proud Aunt of her nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Remaining to cherish Patricia’s memory are her brothers, Gerry and his wife Carol, Frank and his wife Regan, along with her children Meggan and Gerry; brother-in-law, John “JB”; nephew Brian and wife Dao; niece Tara and her husband Nick Hafycz, and their children Darian, Keela, Gerard, and Joy. 

Preceding Patricia in death are parents, Maria Isabel (66) and Gerard (90); and sister, Elizabeth (68).

Family and friends are invited to visit St. Joseph on the Brandywine Church, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington on Friday, May 1 for the funeral service for our Patricia.  Mass of Catholic Burial is to take place at 10:00 a.m. with graveside service immediately following.  Public Visitation will precede the Mass from 9:00-9:45 a.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:

The Sunday Breakfast Mission, dedicated “to provide rest for the body and peace for the soul” (https://sundaybreakfastmission.org/)

And the Joseph House, administered by the Little Sisters of Jesus and Mary (https://thejosephhouse.org/)

Both were frequent recipients of donations from Patricia.