Patricia "Patty" Ann Reese, 86, of Dallastown, PA, passed away July 9, 2023, surrounded by family after a short illness.

Patty was born in Dallastown on March 17, 1937, Saint Patricks Day, to the late Maurice N. and Mildred M. Hake Matthew. She is survived by her husband Walter Reese, her son Kevin Reese, his wife Sandra, and extended families through them.

She was predeceased by her brother, William "Bill" Matthew, her sister-in-law, Kimiko Matthew and her nephew Christopher S. Matthew. She is also survived by her brother's children: Steven "Kenny" Matthew, Akemi "Pam" Simon, Kim Hester, David Matthew and their extended families.

Patty graduated in 1954 from Red Lion Senior High School and was quite a skilled baton twirler in those days. She worked as a secretary a few places including Advance Tool where she met Walter, a machinist who became the love of her life, whom she married September 16, 1967.

Her family grew when Kevin married Sandy, and blessed her with many grandcats, whom she loved.

Prior to marriage, she spent her time with family and friends, particularly her best friend, Gail Test Howe, who predeceased her in 2002. They loved going to the pool at Zimmys, running around with their "gang" and going out dancing. Patty was the level head who kept Gail's hijinks from getting out of hand. Patty also enjoyed dressing up for Halloween and while she was usually the quiet one, had a great sense of humor and quick wit. She liked going to church picnics and carnivals and usually had a lawn chair in the trunk, to sit and listen to whatever band was playing that night.

Patty loved to drive her VW Beetles and shared that passion with her son, Kevin. In fact, he still has one of her Beetles that he took in years ago for "repairs" and never quite finished, which Patty never let him forget if the situation arose. She loved being a stay at home mom and was excellent at her job.  She loved to cook and got a kick out of seeing what bargains she could find at yard sales and thrift stores. She was an avid reader, was very good at crocheting, and played the piano well.

Among a wonderful extended family on her husband's side, too numerous to affordably print in the newspaper, she enjoyed spending time with her niece Cindy Yingling and husband Dave, and reading regular letters from her niece, Sherry Letzelter.

Patty left a lasting impression and will be greatly missed by her friends and family, particularly Stacy Howe Frey and family, (who thought of her as a part of their family and spent many holidays together).

Stacy wrote most of this, but Kevin adds that he fondly remembers those days as kids when he got to annoy Stacy while they were being hauled around in the back seat of a VW by their mothers.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 2:00 pm at the Austin Eberly Funeral Home, Inc., 104 West Main St., Dallastown, with a service to follow at 3 pm. Interment will follow nearby at Union Cemetery in Dallastown.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Patty's memory to the York County SPCA or your favorite local animal shelter, in honor of her love of all animals, particularly those smaller than she was.