Parishioner Pat Reidy Celebrates Her 100th Birthday: “If I’ve Got God, I’ve Got Everything”

Pat Reidy has been a parishioner at Immaculate Conception since 1969. In March, she celebrated her 100th birthday.

“God has blessed me and has been good to me,” Pat says.

Over the years, Pat has been an active member of our parish community. She has been a longtime member and past president of the Altar Society, a leader of the Renew faith formation group, and a member of the Prayer Network as well as the Sunday Coffee Group. She also volunteered for many years in our local community, notably with the Red Cross blood donor program and St. Joseph’s Home for Children. Pat’s faith has always been at the center of her life. “If I’ve got God, I’ve got everything,” she says.

Pat and her husband, Lt. Colonel Rudy Reidy, were married for 63 years. Rudy was also a parishioner at Immaculate Conception before his passing in 2007. They lived in various posts in the United States and overseas, including in Japan and Germany. While they were in Germany, they adopted their son, Bill, who was the light of their lives, until his unexpected death at 27 years of age.

Friends of Pat describe her as witty, funloving, and young at heart. Having made many loyal and supportive friends throughout the years, she encourages other parishioners to get to know one another and enjoy each other’s company. Her parish community has meant very much to her.

“Faith has been my life,” Pat says. “It has helped me keep going.”

Pat has many wonderful memories of her time at Immaculate Conception. Among her fondest memories at our parish, she remembers enjoying outdoor Mass with our pastor at the time, the late Msgr. John O’Donnell. After the Mass, there was a potluck meal and jazz music at the parish. She also enjoyed the Altar Society trips to horse races at Oaklawn.

When asked for the secret to a long, fulfilling life, Pat offers her perspective.

“Eat well,” she says. “Let go of yesterday.”

Our parish community has meant very much to Pat Reidy.