In this April 16, 2015, photo, Dan and Patricia Rooney attend the 42nd Art Rooney Awards in Pittsburgh. Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (Rebecca Droke/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88.
The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home on Saturday. A cause of death was not given.
Patricia Rooney's husband, who died in April 2017, served as the U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-12.
'œMy family and I are mourning the passing of my mother, Patricia,'ť Steelers president Art Rooney II said in a statement. 'ťShe helped raise nine children while supporting my father's career with the Steelers and his time as Ambassador to Ireland. It is a sad day for our family. "
Art Rooney said his mother gave much of her time to the Pittsburgh community, and 'œleft a lasting impression on so many people and organizations in our area, especially the Salvation Army,'ť and many other groups on Pittsburgh's North Side, where his parents lived.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and his wife said in a statement that Patricia Rooney represented her family and the Steelers with 'œextraordinary grace, dignity, and integrity.'ť
Goodell's statement said, 'œPatricia was passionately devoted to her faith, the wonderful family she and Dan raised and adored, the Pittsburgh community and the Steelers' organization. She was also one of the most passionate football fans you could ever meet and very proud of the number of female fans around the world.'ť
Funeral arrangements are private.
'œWe will celebrate her life and the memories we have of her during this challenging time for our family," her son said. "We appreciate everyone with your thoughts and prayers.'ť
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FILE - In this Dec. 15, 2019, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers co-owner Patricia Rooney arrives for the team's NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills in Pittsburgh. Rooney, the wife of late Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
The Associated Press
In this March 2018 photo, Patricia Rooney shakes hands with former Vice President Joe Biden, the keynote speaker at "Slainte! Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dan Rooney", at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (Darrell Sapp/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
In this July 2018 photo, Patricia Rooney, who taught English at Robert Morris University, stands with some of the more than 400 books acquired by her late husband, Dan Rooney, that were donated to his alma mater, Duquesne University, at the university in Pittsburgh. Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Patricia Rooney died peacefully at her home on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (Nate Guidry/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP)
The Associated Press
FILE- In this April 18, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II, left, escorts his mother, Patricia Rooney, following a funeral Mass for his father and Patricia's husband, Dan Rooney, in Pittsburgh. Patricia Rooney, the wife of late Pittsburgh Steelers chairman Dan Rooney, has died. She was 88. The Steelers said in a statement that Rooney died peacefully at her home Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. A cause of death was not given. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
The Associated Press