Patricia Joanne Stevenhagen, 86, of New Franklin passed away on Monday, September 7, surrounded by her children.
Born Patsy Alexander on September 14, 1928, in Ector, Texas, to Mack C. Alexander and Joe Anna Fincher, Pat hated her given name and went by Patricia in adulthood.
The child of tenant farmers, she had a difficult early life. Her father died shortly after the family barn burnt down, and her mother struggled to provide for her and her older brother, Mack "Pete" Alexander. Pat was subsequently taken in by the Ware family of Denison, Texas, graduating from Denison High School in 1948.
In 1950 she met and wed John Stevenhagen in Dallas. They moved to Akron, John's hometown, where he became a home builder. She worked as a secretary before becoming a mother, and later ran a dress shop, Pat's Persimmon Patch. Pat and John were married 61 years before he passed, living together nearly 50 years in the house he built for their family.
A proud Texan, Pat had a flashy sense of style. She was rarely seen without red lipstick and curled hair, and was known for her wonderful cooking and spontaneous generosity. In later life, she enjoyed working on word puzzles and watching birds in her garden and on the lake. Through all her health problems, she remained cheerful and would say, with a smile, that she was "hangin' in there."
Survivors include daughters, Karen and Pam (Les Lucas); son and caregiver, Lad; grandchildren, David (Khadija), Molly, and Allison Airhart, and Jacqueline Kell; and great-granddaughters, Layla and Sara Airhart.
Until we meet again, we'll all be "hangin' in there!"
Her family would like to thank the staff at Summa Barberton Hospital for their care and kindness.
Pat donated her body to science. In her honor, the family suggests you slip a few dollars into someone's pocket or feed the birds this winter.
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 13, 2015
Born Patsy Alexander on September 14, 1928, in Ector, Texas, to Mack C. Alexander and Joe Anna Fincher, Pat hated her given name and went by Patricia in adulthood.
The child of tenant farmers, she had a difficult early life. Her father died shortly after the family barn burnt down, and her mother struggled to provide for her and her older brother, Mack "Pete" Alexander. Pat was subsequently taken in by the Ware family of Denison, Texas, graduating from Denison High School in 1948.
In 1950 she met and wed John Stevenhagen in Dallas. They moved to Akron, John's hometown, where he became a home builder. She worked as a secretary before becoming a mother, and later ran a dress shop, Pat's Persimmon Patch. Pat and John were married 61 years before he passed, living together nearly 50 years in the house he built for their family.
A proud Texan, Pat had a flashy sense of style. She was rarely seen without red lipstick and curled hair, and was known for her wonderful cooking and spontaneous generosity. In later life, she enjoyed working on word puzzles and watching birds in her garden and on the lake. Through all her health problems, she remained cheerful and would say, with a smile, that she was "hangin' in there."
Survivors include daughters, Karen and Pam (Les Lucas); son and caregiver, Lad; grandchildren, David (Khadija), Molly, and Allison Airhart, and Jacqueline Kell; and great-granddaughters, Layla and Sara Airhart.
Until we meet again, we'll all be "hangin' in there!"
Her family would like to thank the staff at Summa Barberton Hospital for their care and kindness.
Pat donated her body to science. In her honor, the family suggests you slip a few dollars into someone's pocket or feed the birds this winter.
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 13, 2015
Patricia Joanne Stevenhagen, 86, of New Franklin passed away on Monday, September 7, surrounded by her children.
Born Patsy Alexander on September 14, 1928, in Ector, Texas, to Mack C. Alexander and Joe Anna Fincher, Pat hated her given name and went by Patricia in adulthood.
The child of tenant farmers, she had a difficult early life. Her father died shortly after the family barn burnt down, and her mother struggled to provide for her and her older brother, Mack "Pete" Alexander. Pat was subsequently taken in by the Ware family of Denison, Texas, graduating from Denison High School in 1948.
In 1950 she met and wed John Stevenhagen in Dallas. They moved to Akron, John's hometown, where he became a home builder. She worked as a secretary before becoming a mother, and later ran a dress shop, Pat's Persimmon Patch. Pat and John were married 61 years before he passed, living together nearly 50 years in the house he built for their family.
A proud Texan, Pat had a flashy sense of style. She was rarely seen without red lipstick and curled hair, and was known for her wonderful cooking and spontaneous generosity. In later life, she enjoyed working on word puzzles and watching birds in her garden and on the lake. Through all her health problems, she remained cheerful and would say, with a smile, that she was "hangin' in there."
Survivors include daughters, Karen and Pam (Les Lucas); son and caregiver, Lad; grandchildren, David (Khadija), Molly, and Allison Airhart, and Jacqueline Kell; and great-granddaughters, Layla and Sara Airhart.
Until we meet again, we'll all be "hangin' in there!"
Her family would like to thank the staff at Summa Barberton Hospital for their care and kindness.
Pat donated her body to science. In her honor, the family suggests you slip a few dollars into someone's pocket or feed the birds this winter.
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 13, 2015
Born Patsy Alexander on September 14, 1928, in Ector, Texas, to Mack C. Alexander and Joe Anna Fincher, Pat hated her given name and went by Patricia in adulthood.
The child of tenant farmers, she had a difficult early life. Her father died shortly after the family barn burnt down, and her mother struggled to provide for her and her older brother, Mack "Pete" Alexander. Pat was subsequently taken in by the Ware family of Denison, Texas, graduating from Denison High School in 1948.
In 1950 she met and wed John Stevenhagen in Dallas. They moved to Akron, John's hometown, where he became a home builder. She worked as a secretary before becoming a mother, and later ran a dress shop, Pat's Persimmon Patch. Pat and John were married 61 years before he passed, living together nearly 50 years in the house he built for their family.
A proud Texan, Pat had a flashy sense of style. She was rarely seen without red lipstick and curled hair, and was known for her wonderful cooking and spontaneous generosity. In later life, she enjoyed working on word puzzles and watching birds in her garden and on the lake. Through all her health problems, she remained cheerful and would say, with a smile, that she was "hangin' in there."
Survivors include daughters, Karen and Pam (Les Lucas); son and caregiver, Lad; grandchildren, David (Khadija), Molly, and Allison Airhart, and Jacqueline Kell; and great-granddaughters, Layla and Sara Airhart.
Until we meet again, we'll all be "hangin' in there!"
Her family would like to thank the staff at Summa Barberton Hospital for their care and kindness.
Pat donated her body to science. In her honor, the family suggests you slip a few dollars into someone's pocket or feed the birds this winter.
Published in Akron Beacon Journal on Sept. 13, 2015
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