Patricia Mary Gleeson

Patricia Mary Gleeson, 75, passed away November 8, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was surrounded by her entire family. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Michael Gleeson, and four children – Megan Schy Gleeson, married to Jeffrey Schy Gleeson, Molly Gleeson, Catherine Gleeson, married to Ruben van Leeuwen and parents to grandchild Oscar van Leeuwen, and Thomas Gleeson. She is also survived by brothers Bernie Kalkbrenner and Dennis Kalkbrenner. Throughout her life, Pat directed over 200 plays, musicals, and other performances. She formed two children’s theatres – Mount Vernon Community Children’s Theatre in Alexandria, Virginia, and Acting Up in Bloomington, Indiana, taught and directed for the Powderhorn Players in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Bloomington High School North, and served as Executive Director for the Boston Children’s Theatre and Stages Bloomington. She impacted the lives of thousands of children, some of whom have gone on to work in theatre or become parents of young actors today. Pat’s passion for theatre and arts education, especially for children, was unsurpassed. Her family, her colleagues, and her young actors often heard her say, “All children are gifted and talented,” and she believed that theatre was a way for children to find out what those talents were – even if those talents did not lie in theatre itself. She strongly believed in the benefits of arts education, as a way to understand history and the human condition. Pat’s intention was to broaden the minds and enrich the lives of the children she worked with. For her, theatre was not just an after school activity. She insisted on the professionalism and the discipline of the theatre. Loved and revered throughout her life, Pat Gleeson will be missed by many. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The family of Mrs. Gleeson would like to invite any students that may have a video to please email to mollykathleengleeson@gmail.com to be included in a video memorial collage. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Stages Bloomington, www.stagesbloomington.org, P.O. Box 5036 Bloomington, IN 47407. Online condolences, photos, and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com.

Tributes

Patricia Mary Gleeson

June 1, 2019 - November 8, 2019