Patricia B. McNamara (McAuliffe)

Patricia B. McNamara (McAuliﬀe), a lifelong Central Coast resident, passed away peacefully with family at home on March 30, 2026, at the age of 101. She had a long remarkable life. Patricia was born on October 4, 1924, in Turlock, California. She grew up in Cayucos, attended Cayucos Elementary School, graduated from Coast Union High School, and then went to worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Company as a telephone operator in San Luis Obispo. She met Francis McNamara after World War II, when he moved to San Luis Obispo to attend Cal Poly. They were married on February 10, 1948, at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and shared 52 active and fulfilling years together, raising eight children, traveling the world, and being active in the community. Patricia is preceded in death by her husband Francis (Mac), sons David McNamara and William McNamara, daughter Laura McNamara, son-in-law Kevin Abbott, and daughter-in-law Leslie Cameron McNamara. She is survived by daughters Catherine McNamara, Joan McNamara, Barbara Abbott and Eileen Monge (Humberto) and son Michael McNamara (Jennifer Willis); and Debbie Dusi; grandchildren Madeleine Putnam, Bryan Abbott (Kelsey), Shawn McNamara (Sarah), Jackson Monge, Clayton Monge, and Emerson Monge. Patricia took great pride in her involvement in the community. She volunteered as an instructor for Jack’s Helping Hand Little Swimmers program, volunteered as a tutor for the Literacy For Life program, participated in fundraising for the Performing Arts Center (PAC), and funded several of the PAC School Matinee performances. She supported programs at San Luis Repertory Theatre and was a member of the board of directors for the Pacific Repertory Opera. Patricia was a generous donor to causes benefiting education, underserved families, and medical research. She had a passion for travel, loved cooking, stayed active through water aerobics, was an avid reader, and enjoyed attending performing art events. She enjoyed hosting holiday celebrations and making holidays special for the family. Patricia will be deeply missed. Her memorial mass will be held at the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 10:00am. To honor Patricia’s memory, please consider donating to one of the following or a charity of your choice. Jack’s Helping Hand, jackshelpinghand.org MaryKnoll Missionaries, donate.maryknoll.org Foundation for the Performing Arts Center, fpacslo.org Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School

Patricia B. McNamara (McAuliffe)

October 4, 1924 - March 30, 2026