Pat Gleason

Patricia Grode Gleason, 74, was granted eternal peace on Sunday, October 6, 2013, surrounded by her family in her home. She succumbed to cancer after valiantly battling it for the second time, never complaining; only quietly living out her life with her selfless, gentle spirit. Extremely committed to her family, she continued to humbly serve them and others with her unconditional love to the very end.

Daughter of the late Salvadore Mathias and Mary Louise Grode, she was born in New Orleans where she lived her entire life. She was a faithful wife of fifty-two years to Edwin C. Gleason, Jr., a devoted mother to her four children, Gary Gleason, Karen Gleason Phillips, Jeff Gleason, and Sandy Gleason Schaff, a loving mother-in-law to Warren Schaff, and a thoughtful and attentive Mimi to her grandchildren, Olivia, Evan and Reid Schaff, and Quinn Gleason.

A graduate of Fortier High School, she worked for several years at Saia Freight Line. As a young mom she open-heartedly volunteered at her children’s schools and as a leader for both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. When her children were grown, she took much delight in her grandchildren. Later, as a member of St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, she joined the Sewing Souls in which she sewed hundreds of baptismal gowns over the years, being recognized with The Clem Award in 2009 for her loving contributions. Within that church she also enjoyed the activities of the Young Elders group. Her involvement with church activities extended to her husband’s church as well, Grace Lutheran, where she joined the Graceful Ladies and the Top of the Hill Players. With the Players, she acted in original skits once a month at the Shepherd’s Center, the role of Phyllis Diller being her most memorable.

Tremendously creative and artistically talented, the Jefferson Art Guild provided an outlet for her painting skills which brought so much joy to all who viewed her beautiful work. She was awarded various ribbons for her paintings of different mediums. Although she will be missed immensely, her family and friends will see her in every cherished hand-made gift and piece of art that she created with love and she will never be forgotten.

In the end she taught us that meekness does not mean weakness, but rather, it is a bold power and strength in which sacrifices are freely and lovingly chosen and in which patience, humility and gentleness prevail. Please join us in celebrating her life on Friday, October 11, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Garden of Memories Funeral Home, 4900 Airline Dr. in Metairie, LA. Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm. Interment will be in Garden of Memories Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, www.jdrf.org, made in her memory would be lovingly accepted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5