Cousins,

Your mom was so wise and kind. She will be missed by all of us. Mary, how considerate your mom was doesn't surprise me, that she was so genuinely empathic toward others. She was so selfless. And smart and funny. The last of such an iconic part of our family. They are all together now. I am sure there is laughter in heaven with that bunch.. She loved you all so much and I am grateful that her DNA moves forward in all of you. My condolences on your loss. We are grateful that she was a part of this world. She made it better for having been here.

My Mom, unlike most other mothers, did not typically offer unsolicited advice. Mostly because she wouldn’t want to be intrusive. She chose to teach her kids how to live and how to love from the examples she set every day. She thought learning should be a life long endeavor. Mom could easily and intelligently discuss any topic with almost anyone. She is the only person I’ve known to actually read the newspaper front to back every single day. From as long back as my childhood memory goes I can recall her choosing to spend the very few “free hours” she had (normally 10 pm to midnight) reading the paper. Mom was an inspiration and a source of pride for me through out my entire life. She enjoyed discussions about almost anything but you could feel her passion if the topic was somewhat current and/or controversial. If we were to get into a particularly juicy topic during a visit I would typically leave with much more knowledge and understanding than I had beforehand. One of her most endearing traits to me was her ability to grow, learn and evolve along with the world while still maintaining her strong Catholic beliefs. Shortly before passing she had cause to go to the Methodist hospital emergency room. She really liked her admitting doctor, “Dr. Will”. Mom had noticed that Dr. Will’s name tag included their preferred pronouns as ‘them” and “they”. I remember Mom being concerned that her family members respect their wishes and use their preferred pronouns. That single act of compassion, kindness and understanding (at 92 years old) to me signifies what a wonderful and amazing soul she really was. Not sure how we all will get along without your wisdom, love and sense of humor to guide us.

A memory I will never forget was on a Christmas Eve when we still lived in Omaha. I was 10 at the time.

There had been a major blizzard and for some reason we decided to walk to midnight mass.

The snow came up to our knees. Due to the blizzard there was zero traffic and the snowfall was untouched. Holy Cross church was about a mile from home. It was the most beautiful evening I can remember. On the way home we laughed at ourselves for doing this. And, of course, we talked current events, we ALWAYS talked current events.

I remember some nights mom would let me stay up late and watch Johnny Carson.

Patricia was such a special mom. She somehow straddled the line between being a mom and being a great friend.

I remember being sick when I was younger and my grandma would always bring me a goody. Sometimes it would be a Dairy Queen blizzard, sometimes it would be color by number or some other fun craft. I looked forward to Christmas Eve at her house every year, it was as always so much fun. My grandma always enjoyed when my mom would put pictures and videos up of Amara on her tv for her during movie night. I will always love you and miss you so much grandma ❤️

I love you grandma! I will always remember you keeping little joke books around and always telling a new dumb blonde joke that was so bad it was funny! And how you giggled after you told it, it was so cute and you could really tell a joke! I still remember the one you told me about the blonde who heard most car accidents happen within a mile of your own home…so she moved!

I’ll always cherish our time spent together, from movie nights on Fridays to holidays and cookouts. I’ll never forget your wonderful sense of humor. You will be so so missed grandma. I love you!!!

My Mother spent her life giving of herself to others with little concern for herself. She was funny, she was smart but most of all she was caring and loving. She was not only my Mother but a friend I could confide in and I did many many times. Never Judgmental and always supportive. She was not the type of person that would tell you what you wanted to hear but she was honest and forthright.

One of my fondest memories of my Mother is. I was outside at the Neighbors house skateboarding down their driveway when a few of the neighborhood bullies came up to me and tried to start some trouble. My Mother saw this from our kitchen window and came running out. We had a fence around our yard and Mom cleared it like and Olympic athlete. Needless to say the bullies went about their business deciding they didn't want anything to do with Mom!

I am so very happy you are happy and healthy again!

I love you!

Patricia Ratcliff was my grandma. One of my earliest memories was going over to her house and making cheddar biscuits with her and my sisters, but not just regular biscuits- we used food coloring to make them green. Idk why we chose that color, looking back it sounds pretty gross but she made it so fun. Some of my favorite childhood memories are at the house she used to live in, listening to her tell dumb blonde jokes, having huge Christmas Eve parties, playing around in the garden she had in the backyard, and having movie night in her living room every Friday with my family. Many times she predicted the ending of the movie before anyone else.

She was such a caring person, she would cut out different articles from the newspaper that she thought would interest you and share them whenever you came over. I feel very lucky to have had such a great grandma, and she was loved by many, and will be missed by many as well. <3

Mom, you put up with endless questions and listened to all my silly or boring stories. You taught me patience.

Mom, you took me jumping around my brothers and sisters backyard with pom-poms sticking out of our pants to make us bunnies to deliver easter eggs. You taught me how to laugh.

Mom, you cared for your husband and all your kids without ever expecting anything but a hug. You taught me kindness.

Mom, through your life you continued to listen, learn and grow. You taught me wisdom.

Mom, no matter the sickness, the hardships, or the troubles put in your path, you pushed on with a smile. You taught me perseverance.

Mom, you refused to pay for a traffic ticket of which you were not guilty. You taught me dignity and strength.

Mom, every time I talked with you, debated with you, laughed with you, got lost with you or simply sat with you, you taught me friendship.

Mom, in between all the other lessons, most of all, you taught me love. Miss you bunches.

I remember when I first found out grandmas name I was sick at school the nurse came in and told me a lady named Pat was coming to get me.. I was scared I remember telling the nurse I don’t know who that is.. she brought the lady in and I said her name was Grandma not Pat..I remember how wonderful every Christmas Eve was and how I still long for those days now oh and she always ate grapefruit and dry toast my daddy would try to get me to eat.. thank you for so many special memories..I love you Grandma….Melissa

My mom was not just a great mom, she was a very smart, funny, and caring lady. She would read the newspaper cover to cover.

She read dozens of books. She loved learning about history and her books were also able to take her places she never had a

chance to go. She always kept up with current events. Her favorite was, ABC Nightly News and had the hots for weatherman Rob

Marciano. Above all else, she loved her kids. One at a time, but more so when we were together. She always thought of her kids

Well being above her own. She sacrificed much for all of us. I’ve tried to be a good mom myself, but I could never fill her shoes.

I love and miss my mom, and always will.❤️

I remeber the first time I met Grandma. jeff said, “She’s awesome, Drenda, she is going to love you”. He didn’t tell me two of her sisters would be there. She was awesome. She had Ana amazing smile and laugh. Man she was cute. When she held Nick for the first time I swear there were tears as she said, “I have a red headed grandkid”. I loved watching her at family gatherings loving on her kids and grandkids that she was so proud of. I am so thankful for the love and grace she showed me and welcomed me into this family. She will be missed by many.

I remember she would always get out all of her craft supplies for me to create things with. We'd make silly fun things but I always loved doing that.

She also always had the most festive earrings and her goose was always in style.

❤️

She always said “God Bless” before we went to sleep. That has always stuck with me.

She taught us the Chiquita Banana song. To this day I won’t put bananas in the refrigerator, oh no, no, no.

Did the best John Wayne imitation — the walk and the voice.

Falling asleep on a Friday night reading the paper while we watched Sammy Terry.

Taught me how to make bread (Aunt Vera’s recipe)

She made the best toast.

Picked up Kat when she was sick from school (a lot) and would treat her like a queen (toast included)

She loved her flowers and was great at rose bushes.

She had great legs.

We always had pets.

She was just so cute.

Always took me and my sisters to and from volleyball. Would stay and watch games when she could.

She loved my dad and her children.

She wasn’t judgmental, a real Christian.

Loved her Diet Coke

Watched The Walking Dead.

I miss and love my mom.