Patsy Lu� L. O’Neill Patricia “Pat

Patricia “Pat, Patsy Lu” L. O’Neill, age 87, of La Crosse, Wis., died September 13, 2014, in Bethany Riverside. She was born in Merrill, Wis., on March 17, 1927, to John and Lucille Hartz. She married James O’Neill, and they were later divorced.

Her interests include reading, dancing, driving her car everywhere and anywhere, playing piano, Theatre, baking, playing scrabble and cards, and participating in her exercise program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Pat was a traveler, not only by car, train, or plane but a mental traveler as well. It was well known that on Sunday mornings she would turn on the radio and dance to the first song that came on and when the song ended – whatever direction she was facing was the direction she drove her car that day ending up at a Library, hotel, book store or Theatre.

Pat also was an avid reader with over 600 hundred books in her personal library, with each book catalogued. She always had a copy of the best-selling books on hand to give to someone who she knew would love it. She spent countless hour’s scrapbooking pictures and family mementos and making gift tags which she shared with everyone.

She enjoyed playing the piano and baking and when you walked into her house it was sure to smell of French Vanilla coffee and crusty Italian bread.

Pat had a special love for children and shared their gift of imaginative play to enter the magical world of childhood, especially with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pat had many interesting jobs in her life including working as a nurse for the famous actress Lynn Fontanne, wife of Alfred Lunt.

She had a unique way of being engaged with each and every moment of the day and shared her love of life and gift of the sixth sense with all of us.

Pat had a special devotion to Saint Teresa of Avila and seemed to find a “Rose” whenever she needed one from her.

Pat left a lasting impression on everyone who met her and she will be forever missed by all of us.

Pat is survived by her four sons; Jim (Dawn), Brian (Saring), Mike (Laura), and Sean (Joni), 13 Grandchildren; Ashley, Robert, Zoee, Bobby (Rhonda), Melinda (Clinton), Melissa (Bob), Jessica (Brian), Shiobahn, Katherine, Leah, Michael, Ryan, Katelynn. She is also survived by nine Great-Grandchildren; Hunter, Kenny, Eric, Sadie, Jaxon, Brandon, Aiden, Khloe, and Ethan, four sisters; Jude (Chris), Mary (Jack), Bridgette, Jill (Mick), three brothers; Matt (Lynn), Jeff (Carol), Tim (Sue), and many nieces, nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her Father and Mother, her brother John, one nephew Duquesne, and two nieces Hannah and Judy Lynn.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, September, 20, 2014, in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 130 Losey Blvd S., La Crosse, Wis. Rev. Peter Raj will officiate. Family and friends may call from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass in the Church on Saturday.

 

In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be given in Patricia’s name.