Loretta Patricia “Pat” Reed, 89, of The Villages, FL passed away peacefully after a short illness on July 20, 2026 surrounded by family.

Pat was born March 21, 1937 to Kathleen O’Hare and William Henry Smith in Providence RI. She grew up on 5th Street in Providence and graduated with honors from St. Mary’s Academy Bayview School and earned a full 4-year scholarship to Salve Regina College in Newport, RI graduating in 1958.

Pat married the love of her life, Benjamin W. Reed, a US Navy Officer, in June 1959. They met on a blind date in Newport while Ben was training with the Navy and Pat was a student at Salve Regina. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, service, and adventure. As a Navy wife and educator, Pat taught in local and military-base schools while the family lived in Maryland, California, Virginia, and Pennsylvania before settling in Fairport, NY. There, they spent the next 30 years raising their five children.

Pat's talents were many. While devoted to family life, she taught home economics in Fairport middle and high schools, and later worked as an interior designer for Ethan Allen and Stickley Furniture. She operated a successful sewing business specializing in draperies, furniture coverings, and custom sewing projects. A gifted seamstress, she loved creating her own clothing, making quilts and took special pride in sewing her daughter's wedding gown and helping her granddaughter design and make her senior prom dress.

Despite her many responsibilities, Pat always found time for the pursuits she loved; camping and traveling, quilting and volunteering at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church, the Catholic Charities and Cooperative extension and sharing her creativity, generosity, and enthusiasm with everyone around her.

Pat and Ben moved to The Villages in 2004 to enjoy their retirement, leaving behind a long list of close friends and a large social network. In The Villages they joined numerous clubs and activities where they built a new circle of treasured friends and used The Villages as their homebase for travel. Pat enjoyed a final meal with her Luncheon group and a Sunday dinner with her beloved dinner group just a week before her passing.

Together, Pat and Ben explored the world, traveling throughout Europe, including Ireland, Germany, and Switzerland, as well as Australia, New Zealand, and many other destinations. Traveling the country with The FingerLakers and The Villages RV Clubs was a major source of joy. Pat enjoyed camping and traveling in their RV from Canada, and Maine to Arizona and Mexico and every landmark, National Park and State Park in between. If there was a museum or a statue they wanted to see it, no town was too small. In March of 2025 Pat enjoyed a spectacular trip to Ireland with her five children and spouses in grand fashion, seeing cousins and various sites.

Pat and Ben were the perfect couple for The Villages lifestyle. They were active, outgoing, friendly, loved people, loved games, and loved to be involved. They lived life to the fullest and extracted every ounce of enjoyment from their retirement that was possible.

Pat was involved in The Villages RV Club, Irish American Shamrock Club, a bowling league – The Gremlins, Sunset Pointe Quilters, Ladies Golf League, Ladies Day at Shooters World, the Ladies Luncheon group, Ladies Billiards Fun Group, card and board game groups; Bridge, Euchre, Samba, Joker, and then chair volleyball and any activity that brought friends together. Pat kept close contact with many in her Salve Regina class and attended her last Reunion about 5 years ago.

Pat was well loved by many and will be remembered for her bright smile, competitive spirit, and ability to brighten every room she entered and always laughing and joking and always winning the game, how did she always win?

She is survived by her five loving children, Michael (Debbie), Timothy (Sharon), Sharon (Pamela), Kevin (Kelly), Colin (Gretchen). She leaves eleven grandchildren, Brittany and Christopher (Fallon) Reed, Trevor, Sean (Laviana) and Eric Reed, Connor and Owen Reed, Hannah and Eric Reed, Colin (Abigail) and Evan Andridge and three great grandchildren, James, Grayson and Roman Andridge. Also to cherish her memory are her brother in-law, Patrick (Carol) Reed of St Louis, MO, cousins in Ireland, and many more nieces, nephews and wonderful friends.

Pat was predeceased by her parents and by her devoted husband Ben Reed.

A Mass and Christian Burial will be held at St. Timothy’s Church in The Villages at 10:00am on Friday, August 28, 2026. Pat will be laid to rest at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL beside her beloved husband Ben.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Pat’s honor.

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449. Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com.