TOPSFIELD- Mrs. Patricia Theresa (O'Brien) Garten, 86, of Topsfield, died Sunday, August 10, 2014 at home surrounded by her family. She was the loving wife of the late Henry G. Garten.

Born in Brooklyn, New York, she was the daughter of the late Charles F. and Mae (Ganley) O'Brien. She was raised and educated in White Plains, New York. After graduating Good Counsel College in New York, she worked at B. Altman's in White Plains until she went on a blind date that would change her life. There, she met a dashing Army captain who would become her husband, Henry G. Garten, to whom she remained happily married for over 35 years until his death.

With Hank, she raised five active children, and Pat undertook her most important job, that of being a supportive, helpful, and loving mother. All she had she gave to her children. If loving and doing for your child is the measure of greatness, then her children firmly believe that she was indeed, the best mom in the world.

When her children grew older, she worked in the Science Department at Masconomet Regional High School as a teacher's aide, becoming an indispensable assistant to Dr. K, and was affectionately featured in the Senior Frolics as the "Beaker Lady." Throughout her life she maintained a sweet and pleasant demeanor that made her a favorite among students and teachers, and true to the Irish proverb by Yeats, she quickly turned strangers into friends.

After her retirement from Masco, she spent many pleasant "movie nights" with her sisters-in-law Marguerite and Ellie, followed by dinner and roundtable movie reviews with her nephew Stephen. She loved the live theatre, and was a patron at the North Shore Music Theatre with her dear friends Betty and Jane. She was able to travel to Frisco, Texas many times to visit her daughter and grandchildren when they lived there, and she was more recently thrilled to spend time with her great-grandson, Cooper Paul Garten.

Patricia is survived by her children, Paul Garten and his wife Kelly of Elmira, New York; Mary Ellen "Mimi" Garten of Beverly; Peter Garten of Austin, Texas; Patrick Garten of Newburyport; and David Garten and his husband Paul Sherman of Boston and Provincetown; her loving grandchildren, Kaleigh, Connor and Cameron Lafata; Max Garten (Breanna Savard), and her great grandson Cooper Garten. She also leaves many sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, and dear friends. A long-time resident of Topsfield, she was a dedicated member of St. Rose of Lima Parish.

ARRANGEMENTS: Pat's funeral Mass will be held in St. Rose of Lima Church, Park St., Topsfield, on Saturday August 16th at 10 A.M. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery, Topsfield, As requested visiting hours omitted. Those unable to attend are invited to raise a Gin & Tonic in Pat's memory. Assisting the family with the arrangements is the Peterson-O'Donnell Funeral Home 167 Maple St, (Rt 62) Danvers. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Patricia's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA 02172 or online on their Tribute/Memorial donation page. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com