2020 Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade Grand Marshal, Patricia McCrudden
By Irish Echo Staff
For the second year running the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Parade on McLean Avenue will be led by a woman grand marshal.
The parade will step off on Saturday, March 21 and proceed along McLean Avenue’s “Emerald Mile” with Grand Marshal Patricia Donovan McCrudden at its head.
According to a parade release the aides to the grand marshal are: Annmarie Acosta, Irish Music and Dance Educator; Reverend Father William Cleary, Chaplain to the Yonkers Fire Department; Joan Henchy, New York Gaelic Athletic Association; Timothy Hodges, Yonkers Police Department; Sean P. Mayer, Ancient Order of Hibernians, Myles Scully Division 1; Richard McSpedon Jr., Local 3 IEBW, Westchester Mechanics Association; William J. Saich, Ferncliff Manor; Nancy Walsh, Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Our Lady of Knock Division 19.
In advance of the parade itself a number of events and ceremonies are planned: On March 10 at 4 p.m. there will be a flag raising at Yonkers City Hall. On March 14 at 7 p.m. there will be the parade dinner and a gala celebration at the Castle Royale, 92 Waverly Street. On March 16 at 11 a.m. there will be the painting of the Green Line on McLean Avenue near the Aisling Irish Community Center (909 McLean Avenue).
On parade day, March 21, there will be an 11.15 a.m. Parade Mass at St. Barnabas High School Chapel on McLean Avenue. The parade will step off after Mass on the "Emerald Mile" west of Bronx River Road at 1 p.m.
A biography of Grand Marshal McCrudden reads in part: She is the only child of Jean (Sealander) and Lewis Donovan. Her father’s roots were in counties Dublin and Cork.
Born in Brooklyn and raised in Westchester, Pat attended grade school in White Plains. She graduated from Hastings High School, a member of the National Honor Society. Pat earned a BBA Degree from St. Lawrence University in Canton, NY, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. After graduation, she was employed by Young & Rubicam Advertising in Manhattan.
Pat married Larry McCrudden at St. Matthew’s Church, Hastings in 1965. They have three children: Jean Tickell, Realtor with Rand Realty, Nancy Meza, Special Ed Teacher, and Larry McCrudden, Owner of The Custom Family, a photographic production company. Sons-in-law are Cammie Tickell and Adam Meza. They have seven grandchildren: Jack Tickell; Aiden, Lou and Hudson Meza; James Ella, Zane and Cal McCrudden.
Pat has been involved with the Yonkers St. Patrick’s Day Parade since she and Larry started dating almost sixty years ago. She was an Aide to the Grand Marshal in 1983 and has served in as number of capacities.
Pat’s efforts often make a difference in the lives of children. In the 1980s her family participated in the “Irish Children’s Summer Program,” hosting several Catholic and Protestant children for six weeks each summer. Some continue to stay in touch as adults. In 1993, expanding on the Christmas Toy Drive concept, Pat and Larry created “The Great Birthday Caper,” providing birthday gifts to children and teens in group residences. For over 25 years, Caper Sponsors have given birthday and Christmas gifts to scores of children and teens each year at facilities such as Cardinal McCloskey, Andrus Children’s Home, St. Christopher’s Home, and Children’s Village. Pat inspires her Caper helpers: Jean Tickell, Shannon Daugherty and Raissa Fitzgerald.
Pat was an active volunteer at Christ the King Parish and School. In 1997, Pat and Larry were instrumental in creating the Msgr. John J. Foley Scholarship Trust Fund in honor of the late long-time Pastor. Over $180,000 was raised from a one-time solicitation, and was used to give financial aid to Parish School families in need.
As a parishioner of Monastery Church of the Sacred Heart, Pat is a member of the Blessed Father Solanus Casey Prayer Group, and has volunteered at St. John’s Hospital as Eucharistic Minister for over 15 years.
Pat was City Chairman for the March of Dimes Mothers March against Birth Defects and a Member of the March of Dimes Board of Directors. She served on the Boards of the Amackassin Club and the Northern Ireland Children’s Enterprises (NICE). Just a few of her awards and recognitions are: The Mayor’s Community Relations Committee Women’s Equality Award, March of Dimes Appreciation Award, Andrus Award, and the 2010 Yonkers Chamber of Commerce Women of Excellence Award. In 2019, Pat and Larry were inducted into the Westchester County Senior Hall of Fame.
For all information, and marching applications for the 2020 Yonkers parade, go to www.yonkersstpatricksparade.org.
