Mary Elizabeth Dendy Patch

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Mary Elizabeth Dendy Patch, 97, of Houston, Miss., passed away on July 23 in Pagosa Springs.

She was born in the community of Anchor, Chickasaw County, Miss., on Sept 24, 1919, to William Sidney Dendy and Pearl Springer Dendy. After skipping the eighth grade, she graduated with honors from Houston High School and then got her college degree at Wood Junior College. She married William H. “Bill” Patch in 1941. Shortly after they were married, Bill was drafted into the Army and almost immediately sent overseas. She went through a major event in her life when she was notified that Bill was missing in action. After several months, she found out he was a prisoner of war in Germany. She never lost faith and Bill survived after nine months in captivity.

After Bill returned from the Army, the two of them then built a successful regional piano/organ business and were active in their community and church, while raising their two children.

Elizabeth was primarily a people lover and spent her life serving others. Her smile drew people to her, even as she approached age 98. She loved her church, caring for her children, cooking for everyone and telling jokes she learned on her computer. She enjoyed the Delphian Club, being a Cub Scout Den Mother, and the 4,500 hours spent as a Pink Lady hospital volunteer.

Her last five years were spent in the Colorado home of her daughter and son-in-law. There she regularly commented on the blue skies, snowy days, yellow aspens and other fall colors. She never failed to recognize and call out every classic Jeep on the road. She passed away peacefully in her own bed with family and nurse Kathy beside her.

Her survivors include daughter Betty Tonges (Scott), of Pagosa Springs; son Ron Patch (Nancy), of Chattanooga, Tenn.; grandson Ben Patch (Julia), of New York City; granddaughter Mary Brookshire (Brian), of Ocean Springs, Miss.; and two great-granddaughters, Clara Brookshire and Sadie Brookshire. She is also survived by her sister, Sidnette Carlisle, of Corinth, Miss.; her brother, Doug Dendy, of Counce, Tenn.; many beloved nieces, nephews, church members and lifelong friends. We will all miss her love, optimism and her humor.

She will later be buried beside her husband, who preceded her in death in November of 1989, at Chickasaw Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Houston Presbyterian Church, Houston, Miss., or French Camp Academy, Miss. The family wishes to thank the loving care provided by hospice and palliative care providers in Pagosa Springs.