Patricia Ann Hassett

Patricia Ann (Patty) Hassett, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away on September 16, 2025.

Patty was born to Cyril Gros Lowe and Rosa Esther Reiser of New Orleans, Louisiana. Later, Rosa married James Benjamin (Jim Ben) Edens, who became Patty's devoted stepfather.

Patty attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School in New Orleans, graduating in 1957. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Kindergarten–Primary Education from Arizona State University in 1961.

A devoted Catholic, Patty became a member of Saint Francis Xavier Parish in 1958. In 1963, she and her beloved husband, Chandler Jerome (Jerry) Hassett, were married at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where they built their faith-filled life together. Patty's love of God guided her life and her vocation as an educator.

In 1961, Patty began her teaching career at Tonalea Elementary School as a first-grade teacher. From 1963 to 1964, she taught Pre-First Grade at Harelson Elementary School. She then taught CCD at Saint Francis Xavier Parish from 1974 to 1976 and again from 1983 to 1985.

In 1987, she began her long and dedicated service as a second-grade teacher at Saint Francis Xavier Elementary School, where she faithfully taught generations of students for thirty years until her retirement in 2017. She was admired for her patience, her devotion to her students, and the joy she brought into the classroom.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jerry Hassett; her siblings, Jeffrey Gilbert Lowe and half-sister Cathy Rosa Kraetz; and her stepbrothers, Jimmy Edens and Bill Edens.

Patty is survived by her five children: Michael Hassett (Cindy), Eden Higgins (Patrick), Shannan McLaine (Keith), Patrick Hassett (Kristin), and Colleen Chester (Tim), and her twelve grandchildren: Ryan Hassett, Calvin Higgins, CJ Hassett, Shannan Higgins, Katie Hassett, Sean McLaine, Ellie Higgins, Connor Hassett, Reid Hassett, Nolen Hassett, Riley Chester, and Blake Chester. She is also survived by her lifelong best friend, Dorothy (Dotty) Geisel Johnson, whom she met while attending St. Mary’s Dominican High School, and by her dear friends Diane Hogerty, Donna Sundberg, Kelly Perkins, and her cousin, Tuggie.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her family, friends, former students, and colleagues. Patty was everything to everyone. Services were held in Phoenix, Arizona.