Patricia Ann Olliges

March 6th, 1935 – October 17th, 2016

Our beloved Pat went to her Father in heaven on Monday, October 17th, 2016. She was 81 years of age. Pat is survived by her husband of 62 years Edwin Olliges Sr.; Children - Mary Pat Olliges, Judy Olliges, Larry & Kathy Olliges, Michael & Jackie Olliges and Christy & Keith Kalbhin; Grandchildren – Sarah & Meera Olliges Shah, David Olliges & Julia Jackson, Rebecca & Anthony Tatman, Elizabeth Baird, Chris Olliges, Erica Olliges, Jeremy Shirey, Matthew Kalbhin, Jessica Olliges, Hannah Kalbhin and Zachary Olliges; Great-Grandchildren – Kekoa Alvarico, Kaulana Alvarico, Heather Bybee, Henry Olliges, Nathan Tatman, Graham Tatman, Sabeen Olliges Shah, Robin Olliges Shah and Eleanor Olliges; Brothers, Sisters & In-Laws – Donnie & Catherine Herm, Eddie Herm, Cathy Gutierrez, Mary Jo Stebbins, Terry Herm, RoseMarie Hettinger and John & Carol Olliges. She was preceded in death by her beloved oldest son Eddie Olliges Jr., parents Joe & Mary Herm, parents-in-law John & Anna Olliges, Brother Tom Herm, in-laws Jo Ann Olliges, Al Hettinger, Betty & Robert Brown and Bill Stebbins.

Pat was a very much loved wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, great-grandma, sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend. Her greatest love was for her family from husband to children to great-grandchildren to sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and to in-laws. Like Pat’s Mom, Mary Herm, she believed that every child was a blessing from God no matter where they came from or how they came into her life. And she was loved by all of them equally in return.

Pat was a wonderful wife to Edwin for 62 years. They met the day before her 17th birthday and were married a year and a half later in October 1954. The twins, Mary Pat & Eddie, were born eight and a half months later and their lives were changed forever. Larry came 15 months later, Michael 4 years after that, and Christy 4 ½ years after him, and that made the family complete! They moved into their current home in September 1956 and have lived there ever since! Pat and Edwin traveled as often as possible. First they took yearly camping vacations with their children from the Gulf Coasts of Florida to the Great Lakes region from Canada to South Carolina and often out to the great state of Texas! And on all of them they had a “3:00 pm ice cream break” which quickly became a family tradition that was shared with anyone around!! They traveled in a tent trailer, then a pop-up trailer, then the Revella travel trailer and finally the Minnie Winnie motor home which they drove to Alaska and back again. Pat and Edwin actually made it to all of the 50 states, including Hawaii and Alaska, with the 50th state being visited on their 50th wedding anniversary… Minnesota! Edwin says they had a big Oktoberfest party in their honor! Their first cruise was with a group of friends, and they closed down every bar on the ship every night. They’ve taken many other cruises since and had a wonderful time… but never as much fun as the first one. They traveled to Europe and saw countries some of us only hope to see in our lifetime. Their life was filled with ups, downs, joy, sadness, and always love! It is truly the tie that binds.

As a Mom, Pat raised her children to have a wonderful value system. She instilled in them a love of family and the traditions that bound them together. Education was important to her and she made sure her husband and all of her children got a college education. She believed birthdays were for celebrating with a rousing rendition by her and Edwin of “happy birthday” sung to each child and grandchild, usually by phone, wherever they were in the world! She believed that special occasions like Christmas and not so special ones like Wednesday night dinner with family or guests should be eaten off the good china! She made sure every child of hers knew how to do laundry and clean a house. Everyone was taught how to set a formal table including her husband, children and grandchildren, and that tradition will be passed down through them to every generation! Although she didn’t like having her picture taken she still thought they should be taken to recognize the “big and important” and the “small and everyday moments” that make up our lives. And that those same pictures should be loved, laughed about and pored over, even if the smiles were crooked or non-existent and a story should be told about why it was taken. She always said “life is for the living” and that everyone and everything should go on regardless of who we may have lost or what we might have suffered through. And she even secretly laughed at Edwin’s and her children’s “gallows humor” even though she usually fussed at them at the time!

If you asked a grandchild “Who’s your favorite person” the inevitable answer was “Grandma”! And they each say she was “the best Grandma ever”!! She was always actively involved in their lives asking them about school, their activities, who they were dating, talking about all the details that made up their lives and dispensing advice when asked! She told them stories of her childhood so that they would know and understand the history of her and Edwin’s lives along with knowing about their great-grandparents too. She spent a lot of time with each of them as often as possible. And to them she also passed the values and traditions that had been taught to her. They and the great-grandchildren they brought her were the truest loves of her life! Pat talked to everyone about them and always shared a picture or three with all who asked!

Pat worked at Wagner Potts after she and Edwin were married. She fully intended to go back there but twins again changed things! She worked at A.J. Hettinger Florist every holiday creating beautiful corsages and helping out wherever she could. They all loved having her there and she truly enjoyed it too! In 1976 she went to work at Kentucky Country Day School, first as the Lower School Secretary and later as the Admissions Assistant. It was there she made many friends and acquaintances throughout Louisville. She and her family were often told how much she meant to the students and families with her expertise, kindness and ready smile. Pat retired from there in 1996. In the years since she has met many parents and students who remembered her fondly, including one student who was one of her doctors! Although retired from the school she still wanted to work, so that same year Pat went to work as an Administrative Assistant at Languages Unlimited, Inc. She worked there for over fifteen wonderful years and only retired with the greatest reluctance.

Pat’s friends were many! Her best friend was Pooch Mason who she met in the first grade! She was at Pat’s side when she left this world too. Their love for each other and their truly beautiful friendship was an inspiration to us all. They knew everything about each other! Her sisters and sisters-in-law were her lifelong friends too, with all of them loving each other dearly. Then there was her extended families of the heart whose love and friendship has crossed generations and whose lives were intertwined with her families even from miles away. She met and made friends everywhere - through school, church, camping, traveling and everyday life. She cherished every single one of them for their own uniqueness and loved them for what they brought to her life.

Pat lived her life to the fullest!! She was a staunch Catholic with a great faith and was a member of Holy Family Parish for 60 years. She believed that every person regardless of their race, religion, creed, sexual orientation or family background should be treated with kindness and respect. Pat will be missed every day of her husband’s, family and friends lives. She will always be loved, cherished, admired and oh so missed!