Patricia McNamer 1932 - 2003

MCNAMER, CLARK, VAUGHN

Posted By: Marguerite (email)
Date: 9/2/2003 at 14:59:56

Patricia Jean McNamer, a long time resident of Iowa City, passed away on Friday the 22nd of August following a lengthy illness. She was 71 years old.

Patricia was born in Conception Junction, Missouri, to Charles Raymond Clark and Ethel Etna Vaughn on August 15th, 1932. The family moved to Iowa and Patricia spent her childhood years in Fayette, Iowa.

She attended Fayette High School and excelled in music, singing, drama and literature. After graduating in 1949 she went on to attend Upper Iowa University in Fayette and St. Luke’s College of Nursing in Cedar Rapids. She became a registered nurse in 1955 and married Joseph Howard McNamer the following year in Fayette, Iowa. The couple lived, worked and raised a family in Iowa City. Patricia worked as a nurse for many years in Iowa City and was proud of the care she gave her patients. When health issues forced her to retire from nursing, she returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Literature from the University of Iowa in 1981.
Mrs. McNamer was an avid lover of classical music and vocals. She was a longtime member of the Sweet Adeline Chorus and she wrote and emceed many of their shows and sang in a quartet and in chorus. Though debilitated by health problems, Patricia volunteered at Iowa City Hospice, helping terminally ill patients until her own illness interfered with her ability.

Pat had a great love of music and a thirst for knowledge. She passed these gifts on to her family along with (hopefully) her talent, judgement, and compassion.

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Ethel Clark, and an older sister, Phyllis June Bunting.

She is survived by her sister, Charlotte “Sally” Heber, her ex husband Howard McNamer, four children; Julie Anderson of Phoenix, AZ. Matt McNamer and wife Ellen St. Onge of Frederick, MD. Andrew “John” McNamer and wife Susan Van Gorden of Marion, IA. Kate McNamer of Iowa City, IA. and five beautiful grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister in law, Betty McNamer of Iowa City, IA and dear friend, Evelyn Draker of Oelwein IA.