Patricia Marie Brennan

Patricia Marie Brennan, age 75, of La Plata, Md., passed peacefully on Thursday morning, January 8, 2026, at the Hospice of Charles County. She was born May 15, 1950, in Jefferson, Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of Erna Jane Ross and Ray W. Ross. She was preceded in death by her father, Ray W. Ross. Music and theater arts were a huge part of Pat’s life. In high school, she played the baritone horn with the Jefferson High Marching Band, participating in many competitions. She was active in her church and as a youth counselor at Jumonville Camp Center After moving to Mayland and marrying Dan, she founded the Calvary Players at Calvary United Methodist Church and produced eight full musical productions. Her favorite was Smoke On the Mountain. Pat honed her costuming skills during these shows. Pat organized, directed, and led a gospel music choir, “Joyful Noise,” which performed for many years at nursing homes, veterans homes, churches, and other events. Pat loved to sing and was a member of the choir at Calvary United Methodist and later at La Plata United Methodist Church. She was a longtime member of the Port Tobacco Players (PTP). While she did appear on stage a few times, her passion was costuming. She was a member of the theater’s Costume Guild. She costumed a long list of shows for PTP, including Beauty and the Beast, 1776, The Crucible, You Can’t Take it With You, and many more. She was nominated multiple times for the Washington Area Theater Community Honors (WATCH Award) for best costume design and won that award for her work on The Crucible. WATCH is the community theater’s version of the Oscars. Her basement was filled with hundreds of costumes created and collected by her. She generously loaned them to other theater and church productions. At La Plata United Methodist, she started the Dramatic Arts Ministry and over the years contributed many fine productions, including The Other Twelve Disciples, Conspiracy of Betrayal, and many others. She loved to involve children and families. She organized, costumed, and participated in La Plata UMC’s live nativity every year at the annual Kris Kringle market. This was one of her favorite activities. She was an active part of the “great pumpkin festivals” held at La Plata for several years. Besides music, her other passion was working with Pets on Wheels. Both of her dogs, Darby and Bridie, were certified therapy dogs and travelled with her to nursing homes and veterans homes. She loved taking them to the local library, where children who had trouble reading would sit and read to the dogs. Pat was an avid collector of antique sewing tools and equipment. She loved to share her extensive collection in a presentation she made to groups, which was called “A Stitch in Time”. She was a member and treasurer of Thimble Collectors International, attending annual conventions both locally and around the country. Although retired, she worked part-time providing accounting assistance to a small local business. She loved to garden and looked forward to getting on the riding mower, which Dan was never allowed to touch. Next to the riding mower, her favorite conveyance was her bright red Mini Cooper Roadster convertible. She would ride with the top down, 50’s music blaring, and having the time of her life. Pat could do it all. She had skills taught to her by her father that made her an expert at repairing things, as well as creating unique solutions to problems created by her husband. Dan would break it; Pat would fix it. Pat is survived by Dan, her husband of 40 years; stepdaughter Jennifer Hamer; stepson Evan Brennan; granddaughters Emma Hamer and Poppy Brennan; mother Erna Jane Ross; sisters Judith Hamlin and Margaret (Peggy) Harmon; aunt Cora Mae Jewell; and uncle Douglas M. Jewell and his wife, Amy. Visitation will be from 9 – 11 am on January 31, 2026, with the service to follow at 11:00 am at La Plata United Methodist Church, 3 Port Tobacco Rd. La Plata, Md. Burial will take place at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery on February 20 at 10:30 am. Those who wish to may send flowers to La Plata United Methodist Church or a contribution to Hospice of Charles County.

Patricia Marie Brennan

May 17, 1950 - January 8, 2026