Patricia McBurney Obituary

Patricia McBurney CHARLESTON - Patricia Marie Geraty (Patty) McBurney died peacefully on the morning of Sunday, December 10, 2023 in Charleston, South Carolina. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Robert M. McBurney, Sr. are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM Friday, December 15, 2023 at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Her guestbook may be signed at www.jamesamcalister.com. Patty was born on July 9, 1939 at St. Francis Hospital in Charleston, the daughter of Charles Cooper Geraty, Sr. and Janice Harrison Geraty. On January 5, 1965, she married United States Navy Lieutenant Robert Martin (Bob) McBurney, Sr. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Charleston and the two spent the next 59 years together. Patty spent her youth riding horses in the country at Yonges Island, later in Norfolk, Virginia and back to Charleston, where she graduated from St. Andrews High School. She went on to graduate with a degree in Education from the University of South Carolina in 1961. Patty taught middle school in Norfolk, Virgina and Charleston while working as a flight attendant in the summers. She traveled back to Norfolk with Bob where they began a family. When Bob left active duty Naval Service they moved to Columbia, South Carolina where the family continued to grow. Eventually, they moved back to Charleston and, when the kids got older, Patty returned to teaching. She taught 7th and 8th grade history, literature and religion for the next 25 years at Blessed Sacrament School, where she was well known for her extensive history lectures which she always related to current events. Patty taught an unvarnished account of history and loved to relate the personalities of historical figures, like her favorite US President, Teddy Roosevelt. She was a voracious reader, and excellent cook. Patty and Bob lived in their much loved James Island home for nearly 50 years with kids and dogs. Patty is preceded in death by her brother, Charles Cooper Geraty, Jr. In addition to her husband, Bob, she is survived by her son, Robert M. McBurney, Jr. (Mindy) and her daughter, Dr. Patricia G. McBurney MD; and her grandchildren, Charles Cooper McBurney, Mary Cates McBurney and John McBurney. Memorials may be made to Blessed Sacrament School, Greenspace Project, c/o Corinne M. King, Principal, 7 St. Teresa Drive, Charleston, SC 29407 (https://www.scbss.org/giving/project-greenspace.cfm). Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.