Patricia "Patt" Catherine Carmody Shea (April 12, 1931 – April 12, 2024) was an American television writer and story editor, best known for her work on sitcoms including All in the Family and its spin-offs. She was co-founder and chair of Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA).
Shea wrote and was a story editor in television, especially for sitcoms, often with her writing partner Harriett Weiss. Shea and Weiss wrote the final episode of All in the Family, "Too Good Edith".[4] She received her first nomination for a Humanitas Prize for the episode. She co-created the spin-off show Gloria, and had producer credits on the show; she was also a staff writer for Archie Bunker's Place from 1979 to 1983. In 1980, she testified before a Congressional committee on "media portrayal of the elderly".[5]
In 1992, Shea and her husband co-founded Catholics in Media Associates (CIMA), and she was chair of the organization.[6] She was a member of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee for Communications.[2] In 2000 the couple traveled to Rome for a gathering of Catholics in the entertainment industry.[7]
Carmody married director Jack Shea in 1954. They had five children, including Bill Shea and Michael Shea, who became directors. Her daughter Elizabeth died in 2006. Her husband died in 2013,[11] and she died in April 2024, at the age of 93, in Sherman Oaks, California.[12] Her daughter and caregiver Shawn Shea died in February 2024; the mother and daughter had a joint memorial service in April 2024.[13]
