Patricia Birdwell, an extraordinary person and instant friend to all, passed away August 13, 2018. She was born March 22, 1933 in Cheyenne, WY to Elizabeth O’Leary and James Finnerty. To say Patricia lived a colorful life is an understatement. Her zest for life and exceptional people skills enabled her to make unique connections with family, friends, and strangers. Whether selling polished rocks to the Governor of Wyoming as a school girl, getting her grandchildren court side at an NBA game for autographs of their favorite players, or having a U.S. Ambassador sing her “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”, every day with Patricia was an adventure!
Family meant everything to Patricia. She drove hundreds of miles to celebrate birthdays, weddings, sporting events, or beam with pride for a grandchild as “student of the week.” She was rarely punctual but she was always there. Patricia did things most people would shake their heads at, but she had a heart of gold. She might call her condo complex gardener over to her car to hand him a cold soda or ask for help carrying her groceries upstairs. Or at a self-serve gas station toot her horn to ask the attendant to help pump her gas then give him church BBQ tickets. She would drive 100 miles just to drop off something that seemed meaningless to you and me but was something Patricia thought would be of value to the recipient. As her granddaughter said, “It wasn’t until I got older I realized the value wasn’t the actual object she gave, its value was in the closeness she felt to you and in these actions Patricia kept these relationships strong.”
Patricia possessed this wonderful gift. She had genuine interest in everyone she met, caring about them and their lives. Some who didn’t know her well may have suspected this was a practiced art. Yet this was her, an honest expression of her love for everyone. In turn, Patricia was authentically loved. This was evidenced by the steady flow of friends who came to see her, the giving & getting of daily hugs from each of her “Care Givers” at Holy Rosary Extended Care, by the hundreds of cards she received, and the fact people would agree to her unusual requests and do special things for her. Patricia made genuine connections that usually touched you to the core, making people feel special, because in her eyes each of them were.
Patricia was predeceased by two sons, John and Brian, brothers James, Ed, Tom, & Bob, & sisters Irene Hones and Mary Pry. She is survived by her brothers Dan & Jack Finnerty, a son Weldon, his wife LuAnn, their sons Ben & Isaac, and her daughter Judeth, favorite son-in-law Michael Badgley, their kids Mark, Brian, & Sara Pat with her spouse Andrew Hunold, who have the only great-grandchildren (Alexis, Jamison, & Carson) who will have met this women filled with such love. She “Loved us as high as the sky & as deep as the ocean (and that’s a lot of love)”. Time and again she proved it. We miss her smiling Irish eyes but have memories to last until we meet again.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Miles City, with reception following at the Miles City Country Club. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 1, 2018
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
11:00 a.m.
Saturday September 1, 2018
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Miles City, MT 59301
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Patti (Green) Ireland says
So sad to hear of Patricia’s passing. She was a lovely person, very generous. She allowed my family to use her condo near San Diego, when we attended my son’s graduation from Marine boot camp years ago. Each time I visited my parents at Extended Care, Patricia always remembered me and was eager to visit. My condolences to her family.
Patti Ireland
Dannette Cremer says
The last time I saw Pat (it’s been awhile ago) I was amazed at her memory and always so friendly. In fact, I was just talking about her the other day and how I needed to get back out to say Hi. Condolences to Pat’s family, she will be missed. May you keep her memory close to your heart.
Vanessa James says
She trully had an amazing memory, she always remebered my name and greeted me everytime I saw her..her stories as well as her wonderful personality will trully be missed. CONDOLENCES to the family….
Janiah Miles says
My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. Losing someone you love is truly difficult and I know Patricia will be missed. Please know our Heavenly Father holds out promises that can help us with our sorrow. One such promise is that death soon will be done away with forever (Revelation 21:4) and another promise is that “there is going to be a resurrection.” (Acts 24:15). I pray these promises from God, who cannot lie, (Titus 1:2) brings you comfort. For more comfort from the Bible visit www . jw . org.
JoAnn Daeley says
I am so sorry to hear that Pat passed away. I visited with her many times, she was easy to visit with. Pat was a lovely lady and I will miss her. My condolences to the family.
Vikki Bradley says
I am so sorry for your loss. Pat was such a wonderful lady, I so enjoyed visiting with her. Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers.
Cherie LeBlanc says
I loved visiting with Pat, when she was at the manor. A very gracious women. Thinking of all of you at this truly sad time.
Diane Welbes says
So sorry for your loss–she was a beautiful lady–Thoughts & Prayers.
Susan Moreno says
Pat was such a wonderful woman, just thinking about her puts a smile on my face. I would guess mom met her at the gates and they are sharing stories! So sorry for your loss…
Kay Carlson says
Dear Pat, you will be missed. We hadn’t seen each other in years yet you knew who I was. We talked about when we were neighbors. The giant chocolate bars you gave out on Halloween that every kid in Miles City heard about! I will treasure our visit and the video you made for me. You were a dear, sweet amazing lady. I’m glad we got to visit all the times we did but wish there had been so many more. Hugs, my dear friend.
To Pat’s family…my heartfelt condolences. You had a true treasure.
Shannon Halsey says
She was always so cheerful. What a reunion with she and her sons! My prayers.
Michael Carr says
Pat was such a wonderful woman, and a great friend to our family over the years. I am so sorry to hear of her passing.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Anita and Jim Scheeler says
We are so sorry for your loss. We have so many wonderful memories of your remarkable mother! She will be missed greatly. Our prayers are with you and your family. With Love, Jim and Anita
Sandy and Pat Anderson says
I would stop by Pat’s room and visit when I would deliver flowers or visit at the hospital. She was always a delight to visit with. She will truly be missed.
Lyle Posey says
Our condolences to Weldon and the family. I got to know your Mom for a time in the late 70ty’s. She impressed me as a person who could draw out every ounce of excitement and joy life had to offer. She was a natural exhorter. The few times I was able to visit her in Miles City, I always came away built up and brimming with enthusiasm. Everyone I ever met who knew her had the same impression. She was a real life “one in a million.”
Diane Grutkowski says
Such a beautiful and gracious woman. I will miss our visits. Pat was always so sweet to me and I loved that she would always hold my hand when we’d talk. Be at peace my friend.
David (Pete) Stabio says
I have many fond memories of Pat and her children as a result of sharing a neighborhood with them. Pat always took time to show an interest in my family…our conversations were always engaging and positive. Pat and her children were kind to my three young children and had a positive impact on their lives. Thankful for the memories.
Delores Cameron says
Pat was a wonderful friend to my mom, Elaine Roos, and she missed her when she went to Residential Living. We enjoyed her visits.
Lance Clark says
Pat was a great friend of the family.
I remember her in high school.
Later in life, when I was living and working in Wyoming I got to know her brother Jack.
Pat was a great woman, a friend and ambassador for Miles City and a true Montanan.
I’m glad that Mom and I got to spend time with her at the nursing home.
Our condolences to Pat’s family,
Lance Clark, Portland
Darlene Clark, Miles City
Karen & Jobie Morris says
Pat was a delightful woman! I will always remember with a smile how she would examine the Jobie cards each time and say what she enjoyed about each one. Then, we’d always have the discussion about how many she would like to have that day and the delighted smile when I counted them out for her. Today was Jobie card day and there was a hole in my heart as she wasn’t there to visit with or to ask for extra cards. Still, I somehow believe she was there with all of us sharing that enthusiasm she was overflowing with. She will be more than missed. Our condolences to her family.
Tammy Pecha says
So Sorry for your loss.
Barbara Berg Foote says
Weldon and Judy, I have fond memories of your mom. She had such beautiful eyes, her kindness and genuine interest in others shone through them. I am so sorry for your loss.
Rob and Jan Warn & family says
We wanted to share how special Pat was to Sylvia Hafla. She was so kind, she checked on Mom, included her in activities & mass, held her hand, and spoke for her because she couldn’t speak for herself. She truly enriched Mom’s final months. I regret not making it back to visit her after Mom passed. I will treasure my memories of our times spent together. She was truly a special lady. She is now at peace.
Anon says
Patricia was the kind of person who, perhaps unintentionally, reminded me daily that there are good-hearted, genuine people in the world and the love she spread so unconditionally was the proof in her pudding. And even with her passing, the world isn’t a little darker, in fact, her radiance left it brighter, like a star, and her memory continues to brighten even the bleakest of days. She will be missed by so many, yet in their hearts she will be remembered as the truly special woman she was. I regret that I was unable to know her for longer, but I will treasure what memories I did have with her. May she rest peacefully.
Maureen O'Reilly says
I always enjoyed visiting with Pat. She was a neat lady. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time.