Patricia Marie Cardozo (McGowan)

Patricia Marie Cardozo (née McGowan) July 1927 - September 2026

Patricia Marie Cardozo known and loved by all as Patsy passed away in September 21, 2026 at the age of 99.

Patsy grew up in the Crocus Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, the daughter of John McGowan and Jeanette McGowan (née Eldredge). She made her home in Crocus Hill for forty years before moving to White Bear Lake. In 1947, she married the love of her life, Ralph "Sonny" Cardozo III, beginning a partnership that would carry them across the world and back.

Highly intelligent and deeply creative, Patsy made her home a cultural melting pot alive with music, art, food, and design. But more than anything, she taught those around her how to live: with kindness toward all, with fairness, and with an unwavering belief that no one should ever be treated as less than equal. These were not just words to her; they were the way she moved through the world.

Patsy and Sonny shared a life of adventure. They traveled extensively and spent a decade living in Mexico, where Patsy volunteered at Centro de Crecimiento, a school for deaf and blind children. From there, the two set sail, spending several years cruising the Bahamas before eventually returning home to St. Paul.

Spirited, grateful, endlessly warm, and with a great sense of humor, Patsy was loved and admired by nearly everyone she ever met.

She was preceded in death by her parents, John McGowan and Jeanette McGowan (née Eldredge); her husband, Ralph "Sonny" Cardozo III; her son, Christopher George Cardozo; her sisters, Martha McGowan, Anne Cline, Janet King and her brothers, Bob McGowan and Jack McGowan.

She is survived by her son, Jeffrey Cardozo; her daughters, Claudia Cardozo and Julie Cardozo; her sister, Sheila Hayes (Pinky) and Sheila's husband, Mark Hayes; her granddaughter, Brittany Lease, and Brittany's husband, Lewis; and her three great-grandchildren, Alden, Ben, and Milo along with all those whose lives were made richer by knowing her.

A private Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Patsy's honor may be made to Episcopal Homes in St. Paul, the care she received from them was extraordinary.