Dates
Our loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Patricia Ann (Rooney) Taylor received her angel wings on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Pat was born on June 8, 1938, to Henry Michael and Margaret Marie (Higgins) Rooney in Lincoln, Nebraska. She grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Pius X Catholic High School in 1957.
Pat met the love of her life in 1957 while Gary was stationed at Lincoln Air Force Base. The story goes that Gary and a friend of his followed Pat and her girlfriend to a dance hall in downtown Lincoln. Pat, at first, played hard to get but eventually Gary won her heart. They often spoke of walking everywhere on their dates as Gary, a young airman, didn’t have a car. Gary would walk to pick up Pat at her house on Pear Street and walk her back home before returning to the base – many times stopping on the steps of a nearby Methodist Church for a little talking and smooching. They married on June 30, 1958, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church and soon moved to Gary’s next duty station in Merced, California. Over the following 20 years, Pat was the supportive and dedicated military wife, raising their family in Illinois, Florida, and Japan, ultimately retiring in San Angelo in 1974. For many years Pat worked in the local school cafeterias which allowed her to be home with the children. She ended her career with the San Angelo ISD as the cafeteria manager at Fort Concho Elementary School in 1999.
Pat was the glue for the family and was responsible for raising her children to love and embrace their faith in the Catholic Church. The greatest testament to the family’s love and faith was the 2018 Anniversary Alaskan Cruise which celebrated a total of 226 years of marriage which continues today. Pat was a big hugger and gave them freely to anyone and everyone she encountered every day. The pandemic offered some challenges with those hugs, but she quickly adapted with fist bumps. Pat was also extremely good at ensuring everyone in the immediate and extended family received hand-signed cards to celebrate every occasion.
Pat is survived by her devoted husband, Gary; five children, Kathy (Charlie) Keane of San Angelo, Allan (Cindy) Taylor of Houston, Gina (Bob) Poynor of McKinney, Ron (Beth) Taylor of Anna, and Angie (Bill) Ingram of Little Elm; twelve grandchildren, Mike (Candess) Keane, Joe (Savannah) Keane, Laura Poynor, Jill Taylor, Scott (Judy) Keane, Lisa (Ieshia) Hayes, Matt (Misty) Taylor, Chris (Paige) Taylor, Brooke Taylor, Greg Taylor, TJ (Sarah) Poynor, and Kristen Taylor; six great-grandchildren, Grayson, Nayeli, Hensley and Scott, Jr. Keane and Jackson, Kyle and Bradley Taylor as well as two additional Taylors due later this year; sister, Marie Eastlund of Minnesota; and several nieces and nephews.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Joseph Taylor; four sisters, Bonnie (Bob) Hanneman, Annie (Rex) Gannon, Theresa (Ken) Basse, Christine (Santo) Arrigo; and four brothers, John (Ruby) Rooney, Mike Rooney, Ed Rooney, and Jim Rooney.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 25th from 4-6 pm followed by a Rosary at 6 pm at Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church, 2619 Era Street, by Fr. Josh Gray on Saturday, August 26th at 10:30 am. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Pallbearers will be grandsons with honorary pallbearers being granddaughters. Special thanks go out to the nurses, CNAs and staff at Regency House, especially Jaz, Jerry, Lesha and Shalina, and Vicki, Cindy, Jo and Alice at Concho Hearts Hospice for their loving care of mom during her last days. In memory of Pat, practice kindness and offer a hug and smile freely to those in your life. Memorials can be made to St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church.