Fortified by the Sacraments of the Holy Catholic Church, Mary Agnes Birkenbach Worm Patrick passed into the eternal joy of Heaven on Tuesday, March 3, 2020. She was 88.
Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Robert T. (Bob) Patrick; her husband of one year, Roy Worm; her father William Birkenbach, mother Agnes Birkenbach, brother Bill Birkenbach and his wife Pauline; sister Marie Schmidt and her husband Ollie; sister Mildred Rausch and husband Ollie; and sister Emma Eck and husband Raymond.
She is survived by four children, Jon Patrick of Farmington, Jodi Reeves (Bob) of Little Rock, Mike Patrick (Carol) of Little Rock and Rob Patrick (Jan) of Bryant; eight grandchildren, Ashley Patrick, Becca Patrick, Ben (Joy) Patrick, Elizabeth Patrick, Haley Reeves, Kate (Joseph) Meyers, Mary (Nathan) Ritchie and Rachel Reeves; two great grandchildren Fisher and Beckett Ritchie, and several nieces and nephews.
She was born at home in Monett, Mo., on July 7, 1931 and was raised on the family farm there. She was an Army wife while Bob was stationed at Fort Chaffee, Ark., Fort Hood, Texas and Karlsrhue, Germany. After his tour of duty concluded, the couple settled in Fayetteville.
She was a homemaker but often helped the family business Medical Arts Pharmacy by delivering medicine. In mid-life, she became a self-taught master seamstress doing work for individuals, department stores and cleaners as well as the athletic department at the University of Arkansas.
Mary was proud to lead a fundraising effort to bring the first mammography machine to Fayetteville. She subsequently survived four different forms of cancer before suffering a stroke early in 2020.
At home, Mary instilled love, respect, and deep faith in her children, served many as a shoulder to cry on with wise and faith-filled counsel. She was renowned for her cooking, especially her fried chicken. She was an avid gardener and canned her tomatoes. She enjoyed fishing and boating with Bob, and was a fan of the Razorbacks.
Rosary will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fayetteville on Saturday, March 14, at 9:30 a.m., followed by the funeral Mass at 10 a.m., and a reception at the church hall. Interment will be at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville on Monday.
Memorial contributions to Diocese of Little Rock, Seminarian Fund in memory of Mary A. Patrick, 2500 N. Tyler Street, Little Rock, AR 72207 or the St. Joseph Catholic Church-Fayetteville church building fund.
To Rob and the entire family…My sincerest condolences on your loss. What a great photo and one that seems to reflect the fullness and energy of a life well lived and one that will surely be missed by so many, but also with fond memories by those fortunate enough to have known her during the course and stages of her life. May this sustain and comfort you in these difficult days. She was of a generation similar to that of my own parents, and I can imagine the nurture, love and guidance she provided to her family and beyond. If Rob is any indicator, she instilled values in so many that have served so many and blessed so many. May you find comfort in our gracious heavenly father as you deal with your loss…Richard McKeown
Dear Jon and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my prayers.
Warm thoughts and prayers to all. Very saddened to hear the news. I will always remember her wonderful smile and all she did for us kids growing up together at St. Joe. Ms. Patrick will be dearly missed.
Mary was someone we grew to adore when we worked with her at Dillards. We ran into her at Highlands Oncology waiting room back in January but did not have much time to visit. Ironically enough my husband Scot just yesterday found a memory that included her. A newspaper clipping from when we all got our 5 year service awards at Dillards with a photo of all of us. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.
Martin Tuller and Scot Gardner