Obituary - Patricia Ann Gillen

Patricia Ann Gillen, 74, passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at her home in Havre of natural causes. Cremation has taken place, and her memorial mass will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024 at the St. Jude Catholic Church with the V. Rev. Monsignor Daniel Wathen officiating. Her burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery.

Memorial in Pat’s honor may be made to St. Jude Thaddeus School or the Havre Hill County Library.

Please visit Pat’s online memorial page at http://www.hollandbonine.com to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family.

Patricia was born November 27, 1949, in Warren, Ohio, to Charles and Vera (Jones) Gillen, the eldest of eight children. She was raised and educated in Warren and after graduating high school she attended Carroll College in Helena, Montana. She had a family connection with the private Catholic university and wanted to attend to obtain her bachelor’s degree in education.

After graduating from Carroll, her first job teaching was in Lehr, North Dakota, and then for a short time in Wolf Point. She attended Eastern Montana College in Billings, Montana, and received her master’s in special education. She took a position in Havre and then went to work for the Chinook school district, where she retired after many years.

Pat was a devout member of St. Jude Catholic Church in Havre where she served in many capacities. She sang in the choir, was a cantor, lecturer, church council advisory, finance council, member of the St. Jude Thaddeus School Board and the Secular Franciscan Order.

She enjoyed reading and loved the Havre-Hill County Library. She volunteered at the Northern Montana Care Center, was a member of Weight Watchers, book clubs, walked at the mall, and attended Silver Sneakers exercise group. She regularly met her friends for lunch and stayed in closed contact with her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Peter Charles Gillen, a niece, Annie Mills, and nephew Forrest Mills, and sister-in-law Denise Gillen.

Pat is survived by her siblings Kevin (Barbara) Gillen, Molly (Gary) Mills, Kelly (Kris) Gillen, Maggie (Terry) Emly, Mel Gillen and Brigid (Brian) Hagerty, numerous nieces, nephews and many lifelong friends.