Patricia O'Malley, devoted mother and trailblazing Miami coach, dies at 99
Patricia O'Malley's greatest joy was her family.
A mother of nine, she embraced every moment with her children, encouraging them to remain close throughout their lives. Whether cheering them on at sporting events, celebrating milestones together, or simply gathering for family meals, she was the heart of the O'Malley family.
'She made it a point to ensure that this very, very large family always supported each other and stayed close,' said her youngest daughter, Jacquie O'Malley.
But her mom also loved a competition.
'She loved the idea of really challenging yourself and being the best at what you love,' she said.
Pat O'Malley's competitive drive and love for athletics shaped many young women, as she served as a coach and physical education teacher at Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. In 1979, she coached Carrollton to its first state championship in tennis — an achievement that filled the small all-girls Coconut Grove school with immense pride.
Patricia 'Pat' O'Malley died on Feb. 11 at age 99 in Fort Lauderdale, with her family at her side.
Family life
O'Malley saw many accomplishments in her career as an athlete and educator. But she was most proud of the family she led.
Born in Cleveland in 1926, she moved to Miami with her husband, Robert Francis O'Malley, in 1960. They raised nine children in Pinecrest.
Widowed at 46, she embraced her new solo role, steadfastly raising her children, whose ages spanned from 2 to the 20s.
A devout Catholic, Pat's faith was a cornerstone of her life.
'What she represented was incredible strength and fortitude in providing a loving home and being able to really provide for us and guide us as a single mother,' Jacquie O'Malley said.
Sports were an integral part of Pat O'Malley's life — not just professionally but personally.
'She was really blessed in being able to take her love for sports and turn it into a career that touched so many young women at Carrollton,' said her daughter, assistant vice president of the Baptist Health Foundation in South Florida.
South Florida spirit
Growing up with two brothers, O'Malley developed a lifelong love of athletics, which she passed down to her children — whether cheering on her sons at football games, traveling to tennis tournaments with her daughters or playing golf and tennis herself.
She even built a clay tennis court on her property so her family could play together.
She was a fierce competitor, scoring a hole-in-one on Valentine's Day, and she never missed a chance to root for her favorite teams — the Dolphins, Heat, Marlins, Hurricanes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
She also spent many summers working at Carrollton's Dolphin Bay Camp.
She cherished family celebrations, hosting St. Patrick's Day parties where all were welcome. Her birthdays were marked with trips to Gulfstream Park for horse racing, and visits to Opa, where even in her 80s, she could be found dancing.
She enjoyed walks in Key Biscayne where she lived for many years after raising her children and was the president of the Golf Association.
In her later years, Pat took pleasure in watching cruise ships from her Sky Harbour balcony in Fort Lauderdale, greeting them with her signature air horn. She lived with a daughter in Fort Lauderdale during her final years.
And just as she encouraged her family to stick together and be close, they did so at the end. All nine of her children came together on Pat O'Malley's final day.
Survivors and services
O'Malley is survived by her nine children: Robert O'Malley Jr., Daniel O'Malley, Barbara O'Malley Hinterkopf, William O'Malley, Kathleen 'Kitty' O'Malley Rotella, Susan O'Malley Stevens, Erin O'Malley Plechaty, Kelly O'Malley Mulligan, Jacquie O'Malley Volpe, as well as and 17 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral Mass will be held at Saint Richard/ Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 7500 SW 152nd St. in Palmetto Bay, at 10 a.m. Feb. 22.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Food For the Poor in Pat O'Malley's honor.
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