Obituary of Mary Patricia Gatheral

Mary Patricia (Langley) Gatheral, passed away at the Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Burlington, on December 26, 2021. The beloved wife of the late Francis J. Gatheral, Pat was 81 years old.

Pat was born, raised, and educated in Cambridge. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Langley.   She would meet her husband Frank at a young age. They married and moved to Burlington where they would raise their two children Jim and Kim.  Pat worked as a payroll specialist in the high-tech industry but her most cherished role was that of wife, mother, and grandmother.  She was the best mom ever and had an open-door policy for her children and their friends.   Pat’s home was the centerpiece for her family and extended family. She hosted all the holidays and her nieces and nephews always looked forward to the holidays at “Aunt Pat’s” house. 

As a family they enjoyed summer vacations at Dennis Port on Cape Cod and ski vacations in New Hampshire.  As a couple, Pat and Frank enjoyed taking cruises and visiting warm weather destinations.   Pat was a people person and once you were her friend you were always her friend. She kept in close contact with her girlfriends from high school in Cambridge and still got together with them.  Pat was also a very independent woman and would think nothing of getting in her car and taking a day trip to Newport, Gloucester, or Maine and enjoying lunch, a glass of wine and meeting new people on her day trip adventure! Pat loved the social aspect of golfing whether it was a golf outing with Frank, or her girlfriends. 

Pat’s greatest joy was her family, most especially her granddaughter, Brooke.  Pat and Frank were a big part of Brooke’s life growing up.  They helped babysit for her, hosted sleepovers and simply adored her!  Pat had a close relationship with her two children and in recent years, after Kim and Frank’s death, she did everything with Jim, Julie, and Brooke.  Wherever they went – whatever they did, Pat was always included!  Pat will be remembered as a warm, loving woman filled with spirit and adventure.

 Pat was the beloved wife of the late Francis J. “Frank” Gatheral.  She was the loving mother of Jim & his wife Julie of Nashua, NH and the late Kim Gatheral-Connolly.  She was the proud grandmother of Brooke Kimberleigh Gatheral.  Loving sister of James Langley & his wife Mal of Burlington.  Mother-in-law of Ed Connolly of Burlington. Pat was the loving aunt of Jennifer Langley of NJ, Jim Langley & his wife Rachael of CO and Ryan Langley & his wife Cari of Illinois. 

A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., Burlington on Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 4-7 p.m.  Funeral Services and Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in Pat’s name may be made to the House of Hope, Inc. 812 Merrimack St., Lowell, MA 01854.  www.houseofhopelowell.org