Longtime YWCA supporter Patricia Clearwater dies at 83

Patricia G. Clearwater died unexpectedly on Dec. 13 at the University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro. She was 83.

Patricia loved living in Princeton, her 22nd place of residence, with her husband of 59 years. She also enjoyed travel at home and abroad. She always found time to be involved in community activities, social service, and volunteerism while raising two children.

During her husband’s 30 year naval career, Patricia was active as a volunteer serving families of deployed personnel at many locations with the American Red Cross, Navy Relief Society, and Care Counseling Centers. Her Navy experiences also included serving as submarine force ombudsman at Submarine Base New London for the wives of submariners deployed at sea totally out of contact for extended periods.

Since arriving to the Princeton Area in 1984, Patricia’s volunteer activities included serving as the YWCA Newcomers and Friends President, the YWCA Bramwell House Co-Chair, a member of the YWCA Board of Directors, a Bainbridge House docent, and a Drumthwacket docent. She was also an early Womanspace patron and volunteer. She was recognized for a 12-year stint as a volunteer and docent at the Governor’s Mansion, and for implementing  the “Discover New Jersey” program for 4th  grade school students on field trips. She also was a devoted parishioner of St. Paul’s Parish in Princeton.

The effort she took most pride and joy in was the work she did supporting and fostering the YWCA Princeton’s Breast Cancer Resource Center. She initiated and sustained a trip to India that helped spread awareness about the Breast Cancer Resource Center’s work, and helped YWCAs in India copy primary initiatives, including programs about breast cancer education, breast health information, early detection, intervention and culturally-sensitive support during treatments.

The daughter of Grace Morgan Moore of Bushwood, Maryland, she is survived by her devoted husband, retired U.S. Navy Captain John L. Clearwater, her son, John L. Clearwater Jr., daughter Kimberley Gaye Clearwater, two loving grandchildren, Joshua Clearwater and Kristen Clearwater, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many wonderful friends.

Visitation will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home at 40 Vandeventer Avenue in Princeton. The funeral visitation will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Mather-Hodge, followed by a mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at at St. Paul’s Church, 216 Nassau St. in Princeton. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patricia’s name to charitable organizations she served.