Patty Mulcahy Hirons

Hirons, Patty (“Pat”) Lewis Mulcahy, age 88, passed away peacefully July 3rd, 2014. She was born in Pawnee, OK, June 18, 1926, the 6th of 7 children, to Robert L. Lewis and Ortrud Meier Lewis. The family moved often in Pat’s early years, from Oklahoma, to Kansas, Iowa and Mt. Carmel Illinois. Pat, her twin sister Betty and sister Doris sang as a trio from ages 8 and 9 and were majorettes, so they adjusted easily to each new school. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Pat’s father, a reserve Army officer, was called back to duty and stationed at Camp Adair, Oregon, then Camp Rucker, Alabama. The trio was asked to entertain the troops at each consecutive assignment. Although Pat received a scholarship to the University of Alabama and Rollins College in Florida, she moved with her family to Ft Sill, OK after graduating from high school. When big bands would come to play, the trio was often also asked to perform. Pat, Betty and Doris even had a radio show. At Ft. Sill, Pat met her Husband-to-be, Major James P. Mulcahy, graduate of the University of Florida. They were married September 1946 and honeymooned in Florida, where Pat met an old Army buddy of Jim’s, Fred Hirons. That was the beginning of over 20 years as an Army wife and mother. The Mulcahy’s assignments included: Nanking (Chongqing), China, Yokohoma, Japan where Pat taught herself how to play golf by reading a Bobby Jones book. Other assignments were Governors Island, NY, Washington D.C., Paris, France and Honolulu, Hawaii. While living in Honolulu, Pat was chosen to represent the island of Oahu in the Mrs. Hawaii contest. She won “Mrs. Congeniality”. Retiring from the Army in 1966, the Mulcahys moved to Orlando, joined the Country Club of Orlando and enjoyed many years with the great friend on the golf and tennis courts. Pat moved to Lake City, FL after Jim passed away in 1977, later marrying Fred Hirons, of Tampa, the Army buddy of Jim’s that she had met on her first honeymoon. Pat and Fred shared 20 wonderful years playing golf at Palma Ceia Country Club, taking cruises all over the world, tarpon fishing at Boca Grande and entertaining friends and family. An active member of the Methodist church in Hyde Park, she was known as the “Rose Lady” bringing roses from her garden. Pat opened her home for sing-a-longs most Tuesdays, playing her organ, accompanied on the piano by her beloved friend Mary Mallory Crockett. Pat moved to Clermont, FL in 2005 upon Fred’s passing. Once again she jumped into all kinds of actives, including the choir at the First United Methodist Church and the Clermont Garden Club. Here she became known as the “Banner Lady” making banners for every occasion. With all her talents and accomplishments, Pat’s true life’s passion was entertaining family and friends. She relished having people in her home and took pride in her decorations and flower arrangements. She was an accomplished and adventuresome cook who loved celebration. Pat is preceded in death by her Mother and Father, her brother Robert Lewis, her sister Ortrud Witt and husbands Jim Mulcahy and Fred Hirons. She is survived by her brother Henry Lewis, her sisters Betty Marable, Doris Smith (Jim) and Wilhelmina Hester (Jake), her children Michele Mathews, Michael Mulcahy (Karen) and Maureen Stephens (Jeff), stepson Fred Hirons, Jr and step daughter Janie Hirons. She is also survived by her grandsons Glenn Mathews, Sean Mathews, Sam Stephens (Mari) and Michael Mulcahy as well as her great grandsons Rence and Hunter Mathews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 11,2014 at 11:00am at the First United Methodist Church, 950 7th St, Clermont, In lieu of flowers, Pat’s family has requested a donation to Cornerstone Hospice Foundation.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, Gotha, FL.