Patricia “Pat” Joan McKearn
1948 – 2025
Patricia “Pat” Joan McKearn, of New Hope, PA, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 25th from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease. She was 77.
Pat Hickey was born on July 1, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, to William and Aileen Hickey, and lived most of her childhood in New England. When she was just a young girl, Pat contracted a severe case of polio and was nearly placed in an iron lung. She was fierce even then, overcoming polio and going on to be a cheerleader and an A student. After graduating from high school, she went on to receive her BA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Her first marriage to Robert Reibstein, while brief, resulted in the birth of her daughter, Marissa, in 1979. Soon after, Pat met the love of her life, Thomas McKearn. They married in 1982 and settled in New Hope, PA, where they built their life together. Their son, David, was born in 1983. Pat’s other home was on Squam Lake, New Hampshire. The lake house was her happy place where she cultivated a fun-filled and comfortable sanctuary for all. Squam became the nucleus of many joyful memories for family and friends.
While raising Marissa and David, Pat was a devoted homemaker, volunteer on the New Hope-Solebury PTA, and the MOST FUN Girl Scout troop leader. When her kids were older, she completed a second degree at Delaware Valley University in Horticultural Studies. Pat was an excellent student who could easily identify trees, plants, and flowers by their Latin names. A naturally creative person, she started several businesses for garden and landscape design with friends. In time, she opened a retail store and event planning business called CHI Floral Designs in New Hope.
Pat loved getting her hands in the dirt (even at midnight with a headlamp) and curated incredible home gardens. She LOVED all animals, especially her dogs, cats, and feathered friends including two turkeys (Lulu and Luigi). She was a loyal and warm friend, always doing things for the people she loved. She was a talented seamstress, sewing everything from Halloween costumes to home décor and even a prom dress for her best friend’s daughter. Pat had a wild sense of humor, and was known for her fun-loving, silly, and often bawdy jokes. She did not have much of a filter. She had piercing blue eyes and was incredibly beautiful and elegant, even if she was covered in dirt from the garden. Most of all, Pat will be remembered for the way that she poured her heart into everything she did, especially the way she welcomed and loved people, most of all her family.
Pat is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Tom McKearn; her daughter, Marissa Reibstein and son-in-law Moin Hydari; her son David McKearn and daughter-in-law Brianna McKearn, and grandchildren Maeve McKearn and Liam McKearn. She is also survived by her siblings, Steve Hickey, Lynn Hickey, and Joan Morris, and by many beloved nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held in memory of Pat. For information, please email patmckearnmemorial@gmail.com.
Pat was generous to many charities and nonprofit organizations over the course of her life. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that you make a donation to a nonprofit that means something special to you in her name, continuing her tradition of helping others and spreading joy.
Funeral arrangements are by Orland’s Ewing Memorial Chapel. OrlandsMemorialChapel.com/Patricia-McKearn
So sorry for the loss of such a beautiful talented loving person. May her memory be a blessing.❤️
I regret never to have met Pat. She seems like a special person , in many ways
I send prayers and love in the mourning of those close to her
We are sending our most sincere condolences on the loss of your mom. May you find solace in the happiest of memories.
We are so sorry for your loss Marissa and Moin. Please know your mom is in our prayers.
Pat lit up every room she entered. Her warmth, her sense of humor, and her love of life surrounded her. She always had that twinkIe in her eyes. I will miss Pat. Earth’s loss is Heaven’s gain.
Oh Marissa. We are so sorry for your loss. Now you have an angel to look over you always
Marissa and Moin, so sorry for you’re loss. Your Mom has been such an inspiration to many, her beautiful smile, warm heart, and compassion for others will be remembered. Her presence has been a beautiful chapter in my life. I will miss her!
I met Pat in Squam. What a beautiful tribute. I remember lots of laughs, smiles, dogs and fun, wherever she went. And did I mention dogs! Heaven just got brighter. Hugs to aTom, her children and grandchildren. Her light goes on through them.
This is heartbreaking news to hear about a woman so passionate and full of life, love and humor. Pat and Tom lived next-door to our family’s home in Squam Lake.
She was always so full of amazing, curious and playful conversation. I found her energy, just intoxicating and nourishing to the soul. She had so much great love for her family and her almost human dogs.
Pat… I know you are entertaining everyone in your new realm. Stay close and keep us all in your loving energy. Say hello to my Mom, Dad, and all our family that crossed over as well. You will be missed, but never forgotten my friend! 💕
Perfection in her flowers! What an eloquent lady, she was like a beautiful rose. I met Pat at Dave and Brianna’s wedding. I’m Brianna’s Aunt. She was busy as a bee, because the story was she insisted on doing the flowers herself. Everyone told me, stay out of her way 😂. But, instead I jumped in and asked what I could do to help and she put me to work! We hit it off and stayed in touch from that point on! May she continue to make things beautiful wherever she goes! Much love to you all and I am grateful to have known Pat and her sparkle!💞
Very sad to learn of Patty’s passing. She had a joy for life and a playful sense of humor that I’ve admired my whole life. May you rest in peace