Patricia Joan Purdy (McMahon)

October 9, 1954 - February 14, 2026

Whether you knew her as Patricia, PJ, Tricia, Patti, Mommy, or E-Ma, she was the Unofficial Mayor of Mineola, ‘the friendly village’. How appropriate for a woman who loved living life to the fullest and sharing her love and happiness with everyone, strangers and friends alike!

The only child of Army Veterans Mary Anne Zapotochny (Nurse) and John Thomas McMahon (Chef), Patricia Joan McMahon was Made in Japan and Born in the USA (St Albans Queens NY, to be specific). Tricia was an Army Brat, living abroad in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany until about 1960 when they settled in Mineola NY. After their passing, she spoke of her parents fondly and often, as PJ loved spending time with family and friends. She was sadly also predeceased by her cousin Marianne (McMahon) Mungovan and her best friend Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Josefsberg, who she kept in her heart and in conversation often, along with many other friends lost along the way.

Patti was a breast cancer survivor and a lung cancer survivor, a testament to her strength and determination. Patti faced challenging times of life head-on, with a unique combination of hope and action; she had a special way of making bad times manageable, and making good times even better! Patti gifted everyone she came across with a smile, and truly lit up any room with her electric presence. 

Patti’s unexpected passing leaves behind a loving family, her Husband Wayne, Daughter Melissa, and Son Michael, and her three loving grandchildren Nicholas, Justin, and Ava, all of whom she was so very proud of. Patti also leaves behind too many friends to count or name, because through every stage of her life she made unbreakable bonds. Her spirit and love for life will live on in the lives of those who were lucky enough to know her.

Patti loved her Family, her Friends, this Country, a rockin' tune, a good drink, a great meal, and all the ins and outs of this wild ride we call Life. Taken too soon, we will cherish her memories forever. In her honor, and in lieu of flowers, we invite you to remember “it’s all about the kids” and consider donating to the Child Inclusion Fund or another organization that provides direct support to others in the community.

Please feel free to ‘Share a Memory’ below, and remember to do something nice for someone else today.

Celebration of Life

8pm+

The Cornerstone

288 Jericho Tpke, Mineola NY 11501