Patricia E. (O'Reilly) Nicholas, age 91, of Cape Elizabeth passed away peacefully on Monday, September 26. She was the loving wife of the late Patrick M. Nicholas.

Patricia was born in New York City to the late Elizabeth (Lindsay) O'Reilly and Patrick O'Reilly. She was raised in Queens, New York and graduated from St. Michael's High School in New York City. It was in high school that she met Patrick Nicholas, the brother of one of her school friends. They married in 1952, and after Patrick served overseas in the Army, they began their lives together in New York near extended family. As their family grew, they moved to Islip, New York, where Patty's sisters had also moved with their families. Their faith and their family were important facets of their lives together.

When Patrick took a new position in Westchester, New York, the family settled in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where they lived for 25 years and raised their children. Patty loved singing and dancing along to her favorite songs on the radio. She was proud of her Irish heritage and celebrated with singing and baking. As a resident of Ridgefield she was an active member of St. Mary's Parish and kept up with her seven children's sports and activities.  After the children were grown, a new chapter began for Pat and Patty in Florida, where they learned to relax more, travel, play tennis, and enjoy a new group of friends in Palm Coast and at St. Elizabeth of Hungary parish.  The invitation for family to visit was an open one, and grandchildren were entertained with beach trips, Disneyworld, and time with grandma and grandpa.

After her husband's death, Patty eventually moved back to New England to be closer to her family. Patty lived in Cape Elizabeth during her final years and remained joyful listening to her favorite singers like Frank Sinatra and Neil Diamond. She enjoyed wearing her signature blue fashions and attending all music activities at her residence.

Patricia is survived by her sisters, Joan Fischer and Carol Cutrone; her sons, Thomas and wife Cara of Chehalis, WA; Patrick and wife Linda of Cape Elizabeth; Brian and wife Joni of Tucson, AZ; Richard and wife Nancy of Waxhaw, NC; her daughters, Dorothy Keyworth and husband Christopher of Acton, MA; Theresa Nicholas of Haverhill, MA; Mary O'Hara and husband Greg of Suffield, CT; her grandchildren, Mike, Brendan, Lindsay, Tess and Patrick Nicholas; Lisa Asselin; Katy Casey; Monica Dambach; Ian and David Keyworth; Michelle Startzman; Lauren Saxton; Carin Landrum; her great-grandchildren, Liam and Kate Asselin; Lucas Talley; James and Sophia Casey; Paisley Paulsen; Reese Dambach.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Patricia on Sunday, October 2, 2022, from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 3, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 124 Cottage Road, South Portland.

The family also want to thank the staff of The Landing and Comfort Keepers for their loving care and friendship with Patty over the past few years.  In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to your favorite charity in her name.