Patricia Hannah Donlevy

Patricia Hannah Donlevy, 79, of Charlottesville, died Tuesday, November 26th following a brief illness. Born March 18th, 1945, in Flushing, New York, Pat graduated from the Queens Hospital Center School of Nursing in 1965, and began her nursing career at Central Suffolk Hospital in Riverhead, NY, where she worked until moving to Charlottesville in 1977. She worked for the University of Virginia Health System for 30 years, rising from staff nurse in the Coronary Care Unit to her role as Manager of Quality Improvement. Affectionately referred to as “PK” by her friends and co-workers, she enrolled at the University of Virginia in the 1980’s, eventually earning both her Bachelor and Masters degrees while working full-time and raising her children. She was particularly proud of her 22 years as Manager of the CCU. While Pat had many professional accomplishments, being “Gummy” to her five grandchildren brought her the greatest joy. Pat is survived by her children Laura Kirchgessner Machi of Boston, MA and Peter Kirchgessner (Sarah) of Sacramento, CA; her grandchildren Sarah Machi, Ben Machi, Jane Machi, August Kirchgessner, and Isla Kirchgessner; her brother John Donlevy (Ellen) of Andover, MA; her close friend Elaine Mack Knight of Charlottesville, and Elaine’s children Katherine Knight Bengel and Caroline Knight McCrory of Charlottesville; several nieces and nephews and a large contingent of lifelong friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Andrew Donlevy and Margaret Gillespie Donlevy, and brother Andrew Donlevy. Pat loved her Wednesday card games and Friday coffee groups, which gave her the opportunity to ask everyone, “what do you know?” She was a voracious reader, and completed several books a week throughout her life. She loved to travel, and was especially fond of her trips to Prague and Barcelona. A Celebration of Life will take place at noon on Saturday, November 30th at Teague Funeral Home, 2260 Ivy Road Charlottesville, Virginia 22903. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of the Piedmont or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.