Patty Donahue | The Catholic Backstory
I sometimes spend quiet evenings scrolling on Youtube. One particular night I stumbled upon an old 1980s music video – I Know What Boys Like by The Waitresses. I had a distinct memory of seeing it back in the day on MTV. Fronting the band was a charismatic woman. I Googled the band. I found Patty Donahue.
Patty’s band had 2 major hits. I Know What Boys Like which broke in the spring of 1982. And also Christmas Wrapping which charted in November of 1981. Both songs were huge successes.
After reading the first line of her Wiki article, I was immediately saddened to find out she had died years ago. I looked around on the internet and found many articles regarding Patty’s band. But, there was very little information on Patty herself. Further, there was next to nothing about her childhood.
I found an obituary for her mother, Joan Helen Reilly Donahue. Her obituary indicated she was Catholic. I saw at the bottom of her mother’s obituary a request for donations to Poor Claire Nuns, an order of nuns in the Catholic Church founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. I eventually came to Patty’s grave marker. She was buried in the same plot as her mother. Engraved at the bottom of their memorial were the words, “Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray For Us.”
As a Catholic myself, it was these words that got me interested in finding out more about Patty which led me to write this article. My sources come from Patty’s personal notes, memos, journals and other documentation along with basic internet research.
Patricia Jean Donahue was born on March 29, 1956. She was raised in Cleveland, OH. One could say that Patty was a 1980s music phenom. She went well beyond, “local gal does well in Hollywood.” She was just an ordinary girl from a quiet suburban neighborhood. Her journey was a true Cinderella story. She rose to stardom in a very short period of time. She was literally sitting at her home in Cleveland watching television when she received a call to travel to New York City. A music demo she sang on was picked up by a record company. She had no experience as a musician. She literally walked out of her front door and stepped into the national music spotlight.
So, what’s the backstory on local girl Patty Donahue?
It appears that Patty, for the most, had a happy childhood from the 1960s and 70s. She was the little girl sailing down the street on roller skates. Riding her bicycle to Dairy Queen. Doing cannonballs in the local public swimming pool. Walking to school in her Catholic uniform. If you were a neighbor, she would have smiled, waved and yelled, “Hello!” You would have been familiar with Patty and her family. You would have thought, “What a nice family those Donahues!” And you would have been right.
Patty’s mother and father split up when she was very young. Patty’s Wiki article states that her parents divorced when she was 2 years old. I also read elsewhere that her father had abandoned the family. However, I couldn’t find anything to support the abandonment claim.
Patty’s father was Matthew Donahue (Matt). Matt owned a beverage shop in Avon Lake, OH. Avon Lake is a short drive to Cleveland. Matt remarried after the divorce. I believe Matt and his second wife were both Catholics. Hence, there may have been an annulment. But, that is speculation. Matthew Donahue died in 1982.
Patty’s journal indicates that Matt continued to be active in Patty’s childhood. Patty spent time at Matt’s home. He would drive Patty to her play dates and other everyday normal activities. Patty also had an older sister, Barbara. I’m somewhat certain that Matt contributed financially to both girls’ support. Specifically, their Catholic education.
Patty’s mother, Joan, was a practicing Catholic. So were Patty’s grandparents. Patty went to Mass regularly. The nuns from Patty’s school were certainly an influence on Patty’s early years. Patty admired them. She would return to her school to visit them long after her graduation.
Patty first attended school at St. Catherine’s Catholic Elementary School in an east side neighborhood of Cleveland. She stayed there for roughly 5 years (1961-1966). I believe the family may have moved a couple of times in her early youth.
In 1967, Patty, age 11, moved into what would be her final permanent childhood home in the middle-class Irish neighborhood of Kamm’s Corner, Cleveland. She lived on a cul de sac street near Rocky River Drive. Although she left home shortly after her high school graduation, this house would be her home base for the remainder of her life. Patty lived in Kamm’s with her mother, her grandmother (Mildred), her grandfather (John), and her older sister Barbara. By all accounts, this was a happy time in Patty’s life.
Starting in the 6th grade, Patty attended Our Lady of Angels Catholic School (OLA). She graduated from the 8th grade in 1970. From there, Patty attended St. Joseph’s Academy Catholic High School for girls.
Our Lady of Angels Elementary was just 2 blocks south of Patty’s home. Patty attended there from the 6th through the 8th grade. One block to the north was St. Joseph’s Academy. Directly east, across Rocky River Drive, was the Poor Claire Nuns’ chapel and residence. In essence, Patty and her family were surrounded by the Catholic faith. Patty was raised Catholic. And, would remain the rest of her life, a practicing Catholic.
I believe on school days, while at Our Lady of Angels, Patty and Barbara would have walked out of the home’s side door, turned right, and started off down Rocky River Drive. Their school was just a short distance away. They would have both worn their Catholic school uniforms. They would have both had backpacks and carried lunch boxes.
Barbara was 2 years older than Patty. So, in 1967, that would have put Barbara in the 8th grade along with Patty who was in the 6th grade. They both would have attended Our Lady of Angels for one full year together before Barbara went on to St. Joseph Academy. Hence, Patty would have completed the 7th and 8th grade at OLA by herself.
While at OLA, Patty was a cheerleader for the school’s basketball team. The games were played at Linus Hall, which is a small gym on the school premises just north of the church. According to what I could find, I believe the OLA basketball team was quite good in Patty’s day. In fact, while Patty was there, they won the CYO Championship. Patty loved going to the games. She would excitedly cheer for the team players.
To this day, OLA remains an avid basketball school. In fact, I attended a game there in February of 2026. And from what I could see, the enthusiasm was still present with the kids and parents. Unless I’m mistaken, and judging by the architecture of the building, the school and gym are relatively the same as when Patty and Barbara went there in 1967.
Like most girls her age, Patty enjoyed watching 1960s television. She was quite fond of the TV series Man From U.N.C.L.E. She was a David McCallum fan. Patty always knew where she’d be Mondays at 8:00 PM – on NBC.
She also had a schoolgirl crush on John Cowsill from the legendary Cowsills Band. In fact, Patty wrote John fan mail. It makes one wonder if Patty ever met John on the road later in life? And if she possibly mentioned her little girl crush to John?
As I stated earlier, there is a limited amount of information on Patty’s early days in Cleveland. Below is a snapshot of some of Patty’s favorite activities. They are sourced from Patty’s personal notes. These are not necessarily in any order. But, everything listed is accurate. These activities are from the years 1964 through 1970. Patty would have been ages 8-14. All events occurred in the Cleveland area.
Listening to records with her friends. Especially, The Beatles, The Cowsills and David Cassidy.
Going to Diney’s Drive-In on 117th St.
Having sleepovers with her school friends Cindy, Lyn, Karen, Eileen and Jane – including staying up until 4:00 AM giggling.
Going to Our Lady of Angels school sponsored ice skating parties.
Taking ballet and tap dancing lessons from Monda Abele Dance Studio at 17109 Lorain Ave.
Going snow skiing with her mother and Barbara.
Keeping a scrapbook on David McCallum.
Going out to breakfast with her teachers on her birthday. Pancakes at Perkins Pancake House with Miss Mescan and Mrs. Carey.
Going with her friend Eileen to see first-run movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – with Patty thinking it was the best film she had ever seen – but with such a sad ending.
Taking her 2 dogs, Terry-John and George, on walks down to the end of the cul-de-sac.
Going shopping at Surplus City (on 117th).
Getting soaked at summer water fights and then borrowing dry clothes to go home in.
Going to Cedar Point Amusement Park for her 8th grade graduation.
Spending at least one summer in summer school.
Swimming lessons at Lakewood Pool. Playing tennis. Bowling at Westgate Lanes.
Sewing lessons from her Aunt Pat.
Riding her bicycle from Kamm’s Corner to Fairview Park (Westgate Shopping Center).
Going to Dairy Queen at Warren Village with her friends (It’s still there).
Going to Pick N Pay at Kamm’s Corner.
Playing at Drakefield Playground.
Attending “mixers” at Saint Ignatius High School for Boys – where Patty had her first slow dance.
Attending Halloween parties at St. Joseph’s Academy.
Visiting Winter Funland and going on toboggan rides.
Attending live tapings of Upbeat which was a syndicated musical variety show produced in Cleveland, Ohio, that aired from 1964 to 1971.
Patty did have some disappointing moments as a child. One episode in particular stands out. Patty enjoyed watching the Partridge Family. In fact, she was quite smitten with David Cassidy (as many teenagers were at the time). And, as chance would have it, on November 28, 1970, David Cassidy would be the Grand Marshal of the WIXY-May Co. Christmas Parade in Cleveland. Patty (age 14 at the time) made plans to go see the parade in order to catch a glimpse of David. Patty showed up hours early in order to get a good spot on Euclid Ave. She waited and finally saw David drive by in a fire truck. And, according to Patty, he looked right at her and asked her how she was doing. Very exciting for a 14 year old girl. Later, Patty met 2 of her close friends while she was at the parade. She was invited to go hang-out with them, but she chose not to. As it turned out, the 2 girls figured out where David was staying. They went to the hotel… and sure enough, David came through the lobby… and stopped to visit briefly with Patty’s 2 friends. Even taking pictures with them… with his arm around them!
When Patty found out about this, she was in utter dismay for not going with her 2 friends. But, there was no tantrum. In fact, Patty was grateful to have just seen David at the parade. And interestingly, she said, “I have a feeling I’m going to get another chance to meet him.” I wonder if that ever happened? Maybe someone reading this will check tour dates for Patty and David to see if their paths ever again crossed?
But still, these are things that just happen with teenagers. And Patty had many good days. On her 13th birthday, Patty went to her piano lesson as usual. And when she returned to her home, and walked through the front door, all of her friends jumped out and shouted, “Surprise!” Barbara had arranged a surprise birthday party for Patty. What a nice sister.
Patty finished her 8th grade year at OLA and then went on to join Barbara at St. Joseph Academy. Barbara would have been in the 11th grade when Patty enrolled as a freshman. One would think having her older sister already at the school would have made Patty’s first day a bit easier. Also, Patty would have been used to visiting the school for Barbara’s school events.
Once at St Joseph’s, I believe Barbara and Patty would have again walked to school together. They would probably have used the front door, turned to the left, walked down to the end of the cul-de-sac. Then walked through a small gate leading to the back of St. Joseph Academy. No more than 300 yards from door to door. This seems like the most direct path.
Patty’s elementary and high school grades were above average. She would achieve mostly As and Bs with a few Cs and maybe a rare D (which would promptly disappear by the next semester).
By all accounts, Patty was very social. She had many friends, including several close girlfriends. These were girls that she met while at OLA and remained close to through out her time at St. Joseph’s. Eileen, Lyn, Jayne, Stacy (just to name a few). Also, someone named Gwen that she said was her true friend since first grade. In fact, Patty’s 8th grade teacher wrote in her final report card that she thought Patty would do well at St. Joseph’s due to her extraordinary social skills.
Patty’s mother would take her and her sister shopping at Westgate Shopping Center. They would buy young girl things with their own allowance money. Westgate Shopping Center is still there. However, I doubt that Patty would recognize it today. It’s been completely modernized. The original buildings are now gone. But, a shopping mall continues at the same location bearing the same name.
On some days, they might take a short hike down a path behind the high school to the Rocky River Dam.
Patty liked to ice skate. Her and her friends would get dropped off at Winterhurst Ice Skating Rink. Each season, she would excitedly wait for opening day.
Patty also attended school dances. St. Joseph’s all girl school would arrange dances with nearby St. Ignatius High School for boys. Patty’s dance card was usually full.
Patty was an exceptional dancer. In 1970, Patty danced and won her school talent show. Her prize was a stuffed purple dog. You can go on Youtube and find Season 1: Episode 1, of the television series Square Pegs starring Sarah Jessica Parker. Not only does Patty sing the theme song, but she makes a special appearance with unique stage dance moves during the ending credits.
Patty graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy on June 2, 1974. She carried flowers for her graduation ceremony. After she had received her diploma that day, Patty and 2 of her friends (Cathy and Eileen I believe) posed for a picture. Her mother snapped a quick photo of the elated girls. That same picture would later become the album cover for Patty’s first record.
After high school, Patty enrolled at Ohio State University. But, apparently she withdrew shortly after starting the program. She then attended a couple of different institutions before finally settling on Kent State University. She graduated from Kent State in 1980 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in sociology.
While in college, Patty began socializing and working with musicians. It’s well documented how she became involved in her first band. However, what’s truly remarkable about Patty’s assent to stardom, is the timeline. Patty’s very first music project landed a record deal and a hit song that was played constantly on the early MTV rotation.
If you are not familiar with the music industry, you need to understand just how rare something like that would be. Most musicians work years, sometimes decades, to no avail. Patty literally skyrocketed to fame in a very short time.
Patty’s father, who died in 1982, did live just long enough to see the beginning of his daughter’s successful music career.
Patty had a unique voice. Her strength was squarely in the presentation of her songs. Patty had the gift and ability to tell stories. She was sincere. Almost as if her heart and voice were hard-wired together.
In essence, Patty was interesting to watch. She had charisma. She was pretty. Some would say stunning. Indeed, if you were channel surfing, Patty’s video may have been a ‘stop-the-surf’ moment for many.
I have read allegations that Patty may have made some poor choices with regard to alcohol. I wasn’t there. And I’m not going to speculate. Did she have some rough nights? I don’t know. Maybe. But, a lot of people have rough nights. Including 1980s musicians. What is certain, is that Patty was an innocent girl from a Catholic family. She was a stranger to the music business and all the vices that come with the terrain. The innocence of her childhood may have indeed been challenged by this era of her life.
Patty has been described as a conflicted Catholic. Conflicted in the sense of balancing her Catholic beliefs against the temptations that stem from Hollywood fame. But, I personally do not believe Patty was a conflicted Catholic. Patty was simply a Catholic who may have fallen into some periods of sin.
Patty’s performance career was relatively short lived. By the mid to late ‘80s, Patty was no longer traveling on the road. She had made a decision to shift her goals and move on to seek a career as a behind-the-scenes entertainment business professional.
Patty settled in New York City. She eventually went to work for a major news organization. From there she began working for a prominent music publishing company as a manager for creative administrative services (A&R). Both of her industry jobs would have required sharp organizational and communication skills. It would have been difficult for anyone to perform these types of duties unless they were focused and sober. If Patty did indeed have any past substance abuse issues, one might surmise that they would have been addressed and resolved by this point.
Despite what you may think, I’m not certain that Patty made a great deal of money with her music career. At least not compared to other similar contemporary performers. I will say allegedly here, because I was not present at the time. But, it appears from Patty’s own personal handwritten notes, that Patty felt she received only a token amount of compensation from her record sales. My own experience suggests that Patty’s alleged stated royalties would have been the equivalent to that of a side-player supporting musician. I might add that this was not uncommon in the record industry. A new artist would have very little bargaining leverage.
Still, it does seem a bit unusual given Patty’s role in the band. Clearly, Patty was the main focal point. Arguably, one might say that without Patty, there may have been no record deal at all. Not that her band wasn’t solid and with excellent musicianship. All seasoned veterans. An absolute amazing rhythm section. A virtuoso sax player. A colorful keyboardist. A very skilled and talented guitarist/songwriter/arranger. But, it is a bit perplexing how the face of the band was left in such a limited financial position.
As for her record company A&R job in New York, that would have certainly paid her enough to sustain a living in her St. Mark’s Place apartment. Her salary would have been adequate to cover the expensive cost of living in New York City.
I think it’s important to note, that during her performance career, Patty would not compromise her basic Catholic beliefs. Patty had her limits. Patty censored lyrics that she felt were too inappropriate. I believe this to be a testament to Patty’s continued core Catholic values.
It’s been said that Patty’s mother, Joan, raised Patty to be an independent woman. The “independent woman” quote comes from Patty’s Wiki article which cites an interview from the Allentown Morning Call newspaper (July 7, 1982). But, it should also be noted that Patty once said during a television interview that her mother wanted her to get married and settle in Cleveland (The Afternoon Exchange, 6/29/1982). Being independent, may have meant that her mother wanted Patty to be responsible and to be able to complete tasks on her own. When Patty was in the 3rd grade, she shoveled snow. She was taught to cook at a very early age. She did chores for a weekly allowance. The sisters would then go to the store and buy things with their own money. It’s true that Patty never married. But, later in life, Patty herself said that she dreamed of stability and monogamy with a man.
Sadly, sometime in 1996, at age 40, Patty was diagnosed with lung cancer.
Patty struggled with her treatment. I believe Patty maintained hope for her recovery right up until her final days. But, sadly, on December 9, 1996, with her mother at her side, Patty succumbed to her illness.
It’s my understanding that Patty’s Aunt Pat and Patty’s sister Barbara both rallied around Patty as her end drew near. Both gave up time from their own families and jobs to help Patty with her final struggle.
After her death, Patty was brought back to her childhood neighborhood in Cleveland. She was given a heart felt eulogy by her family at a familiar local funeral home on Lorain Avenue in west Cleveland.
From Lorain Avenue, Patty was taken to Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in nearby Brook Park where she was laid to rest. And on the bottom of her marker, the words that originally drew me to Patty’s story – “Sacred Heart of Jesus, Pray For Us.”
Patty is gone. But, we can pray for Patty’s soul. We can pray for the departed souls of her mother Joan, her father, Matt, her grandmother, Mildred and her grandfather, John. We can also offer up Masses in their names.
Patty’s story is a remarkable one. From her innocent childhood all the way to her successful music career. After all I have learned about Patty, I now look at her old video performances with different eyes. Patty may have drifted for a short time, but she never truly lost her innocence. Patty returned to, and remained, little Patty Jean from Kamm’s Corner. Never refusing an autograph. Soft kind words for her family and fans. Always optimistic.
Despite her early departure, I believe Patty lived a full life. She had the gift of a solid foundation granted to her by her family. A foundation which included God. I believe Patty left this world with the same purity she possessed as a child. Patty’s disposition was formed at an early age. Patty held strong in her Catholic beliefs. In my opinion, no worldly temptation could ever change that. Writing this article and learning all about Patty has truly warmed my heart.
