Helen Patricia Claggett, 91, of Clinton Maryland.

Helen Patricia Claggett was born on March 21, 1932, in Waldorf, MD and passed away quietly on February 12, 2024.  "Patsy," as she was called by her family, was the first child and daughter of the late Ralph and Maude Lancaster.

Patsy was raised in Prince George's County surrounded by family including her six siblings, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents as well as a host of aunts and uncles.

She was educated in Prince George's County where she graduated from Frederick Douglas High School.  Her parents and grandparents were active at St. Mary's Church, where she continued the tradition and raised her children at St. Mary's Church as well. Even in weakened health, Patsy continued to receive communion and chat with clergy weekly.

Helen married the boy next door or in this case, across the street - Anthony Claggett. They raised four children, Doris, Anthony, Alfred (late) and Joseph surrounded by relatives on both sides of the family and the street!

As a young wife, Patsy worked at the Hot Shoppes in Eastover until the birth of her last child. She worked as a homemaker taking care of her family while still checking in on her own parents.   In 1968, she began work with the federal government as a nursing assistant at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. While at St. Elizabeth's, she took classes to become a certified psychiatric nurse's aide and received recognition for her outstanding work handling patients with severe mental challenges.  After many years at St. E's, as it was called by family, she transferred to D.C. Village where she retired in the mid-1990's.

Patsy loved to watch her stories and game shows!  Her afternoon line-up included The Price is Right, Young and the Restless, Bold and the Beautiful and All My Children.  She could get you caught up on the goings-on in Genoa City and Pine Valley with no problem! Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy were also faves.  When the Game show Network appeared on her cable system, she would spend hours watching the old and new game shows while questioning the intelligence of the contestants.

Outside of the house, she was bit by the travel bug and went to Las Vegas (multiple times), New York (multiple times), the Grand Canyon, the Bahamas, Canada, and Alaska. One of the things she looked forward to every year was the Claggett family bus trips to Atlantic City.  She often enjoyed laughing and catching up with family on the bus more than the casino!  She also loved the getaways her cousin Faith Jones would treat her to.  From church suppers in Southern Maryland to a long weekend at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut where she had fun gambling and relaxing in her hotel room with her daughter.

Family cookouts were one of her favorite things. Patsy loved to sit quietly surrounded by family while listening to the fun and conversations.  She loved hearing about everything going on in the lives of her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and when needed, she tried to help in any way she could - even when she couldn't.  Thanks to technology, she was able to visit with her great-great granddaughter, Kyler, as her health declined.

Patsy is preceded in death by husband Anthony, their son Alfred "Sam," her parents Maud and Ralph Lancaster, her brothers Joseph "Jimmie," William "Dick" and Thomas "Bob," brother-in- law Joseph Claggett and sisters-in-law Adell Avent, Edna Mae Brown, Elizabeth Lewis-Davis, Theresa Fox and Mary Branson.

Patsy leaves daughter Doris (Jerome), sons Anthony "Steve" (Diane), Joseph "Joe," grandchildren Brian (Debbie), Joy "Ree," Joseph, Jr. "Joey" (Samantha), Lakrishna "Krissy," Michael (Rosetta), Alfred, Jr., Kinston, Tina and great-grands Tasha (Rodney), Tiphany, Desmond, Miracle, Serenity, Larry, Dustin, Tracy, Krystal,  Jasmine, Veronica, Angel, Tabitha, Josiah, Ja'Nice, Alfred III, Michael, Rosie and great-great grand, Kyler; her three sisters Mary McCoy, Ann Proctor (Thomas), Bertha Hawkins (Jimmie) and sisters-in-law Brenda Lancaster, Margaret Harris, Veronica  Graham (James) and brother-in-law Charles "Butch" Claggett (Theresa) as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special family friend Louise Butler.

Viewing, 10:00-11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 29, 2024,  in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640. Mass of Christian Burial, 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Piscataway Catholic Church, 13409 Piscataway Road Clinton, Maryland 20735. Interment, Church Cemetery.