Patricia C. Lusk, of Swampscott, died at the Devereux House nursing home on Saturday, March 7, 2015, after a brief stay. She was 90 years old. Born in Boston, she was the only child of Joseph P. Conley and Beatrice (Lomasney) Conley. She was the loving and beloved mother of three daughters and one son and grandmother of one granddaughter.
Patricia grew up in the North Shore and graduated from Salem High School. When she was 19, she married Joseph M. Mahoney, at that time an officer in the U.S. Navy. They lived in New York for several years before returning to the North Shore, settling in Marblehead, where their four children attended school. They both loved to sail and spent many weeks and weekends sailing together.
After their marriage ended, Patricia went to work for Sack Theatres in Public Relations in Boston. Later she worked in real estate on the North Shore. During these years she spent several winters in Europe, at first to ski in the Alps and later to ski, tour, study and visit the many friends she had made in her previous trips—people who remained good friends throughout her life. She traveled throughout Europe and behind the iron curtain.
Eighteen years after her first marriage ended, she met and married Rufus Speake Lusk, Jr., of Washington, D.C. After their marriage, they lived in Washington at the Watergate. Patricia and Rufus shared a love for the arts and during their time in Washington Patricia thoroughly enjoyed the National Symphony, the Washington Opera and the Washington Performing Arts, among the many other cultural opportunities the city affords.
Patricia and Rufus also shared a love of travel and traveled extensively together, making trips to China, Africa, Hawaii, the South Pacific, the Caribbean and several extended to trips to Europe. In addition, they traveled to New England every summer, visiting Maine, Nantucket and the North Shore. Patricia further returned to Swampscott a number of other times each year to be with her family. She especially enjoyed taking her granddaughter Jessica skiing.
In Washington Patricia was active in numerous organizations and served on several boards, including the Board of Governors of the American News Women’s Club. She was the Vice-Chairman of an international policy group that arranged parties at dozens of embassies. At these functions the ambassador usually would speak, following an introduction by a member of the group, and then answer questions from those attending. She found these gatherings to be a delight as they afforded her an opportunity to meet people from all over the world.
One commitment of which she was very proud concerned the restoration of the First Ladies exhibit at the Smithsonian. The exhibit, one of the most popular at the museum, was closed for over a year while inauguration ball gowns were being repaired and the exhibit was altered and expanded to reflect the many interests of the First Ladies. During this time, Patricia was invited to join a small group of women called “Friends of the First Ladies” that was formed in order to support this restoration project. Patricia and the other members of this group traveled around the country to raise money for this project and visited then First Lady Hillary Clinton and a number of past First Ladies. In gratitude for their support, Patricia’s name and the names of each of the other members of this group are commemorated on a permanent plaque at the entrance to this exhibit.
After Rufus’ death in May 2000, following thirteen years of marriage, she remained in Washington DC for another three years. She then returned to the North Shore to be closer to her family. She leaves behind her three daughters, Sharon L. Mahoney of Swampscott, Joanne B. Huston of Wareham, Marianne P. Noha of Swampscott; one son, Mark J. Mahoney of Swampscott; and one granddaughter, Jessica C. Noha of Swampscott.
Arrangements: A Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead, MA, on Wednesday, March 11, at 11:00 AM. Cremation followed by burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem will be at a later date. Visiting hours will be held at the Eustis & Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead, MA, on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, between 4:00 and 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory to a charity of your choice.
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