Patricia A. ‘Auntie Patsy’ Camara, 86, of Lowell, passed away peacefully at Lowell General Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Joseph Camara, who passed away in 2020, after nearly 46 years of marriage.
Born and raised in Lowell, she was the beloved daughter of the late Joseph Freitas and the late Grace (Espinola) Freitas. Patricia graduated from Lowell High School, Class of 1957, and remained a proud member of the Lowell community throughout her life.
Patricia shared a deep bond with her late husband, the two loved going on long drives to explore new places and enjoy dinners together. They were known for their love of travel, always seeking new adventures and experiences. She also enjoyed spending time at the beach, especially at the Hampton Beach Trailer Park, as well as traveling across the United States, Madeira, and the Caribbean.
She was an active member of several organizations, including Saint Anthony's Church, the Holy Ghost Society, Blues Club, Reds Club, Red Hat Society, and the International Institute. She was especially involved in the Portuguese Community, attending the local feasts and dancing.
Patricia worked for over 25 years in human resources at Liberty Mutual before her retirement in 1996. In her free time, she enjoyed attending live theater and musicals, a passion she pursued throughout her life. She was a lifelong animal lover, Patricia had many beloved cats over the years who brought her immense joy.
She is survived by her siblings: Barbara Duarte of Lowell and Josephine Dowd of Springfield, as well as her stepdaughter Lauren (Camara) Lannon and her husband the late Frederick Lannon, and stepson Joseph A. Camara and his husband Edward J. Banks. She was a loving grandmother to Kristi Williams and her husband Robert, Steven Lannon and his wife Abigail, she also adored her great-grandchildren: Meadow and Rowan Williams and, Hailey and Cameron Lannon.
Patricia also leaves behind her nieces and nephews: Melissa Duarte and her companion Charlie Razumny, Jeffrey Duarte and his companion Carie, Heidi Duarte and her companion Jason, Christopher Dowd and his wife Marybeth, Jennifer Dutko and her husband Andrew, Cheryl Dowd, Julianne Donahue and her husband Dennis, as well as her additional niece and nephews Philip Perron, Edward Perron, and Paula Sullivan, along with her great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and many cousins. She will be dearly missed by her cherished friend and neighbor, Lee Ann Sexton and family, as well as her wide circle of friends.
She was the sister in law of the late Helen Perron and her husband Edward, Joseph Dowd and Gabriel Duarte.
On Tuesday, October 8, 2024 all are welcome to attend her calling hours from 4 p.m. until 7p.m. at McDonough Funeral Home, 14 Highland Street, Lowell.
On Wednesday, October 9, 2024 her funeral will begin at the funeral home at 9 a.m. Her funeral Mass will take place at 10am in Saint Anthony Church, 893 Central Street, Lowell. Procession will follow for burial at St. Mary Cemetery in Tewksbury.