Mary Adele Patterson Beasley

Mary Adele passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 26, 2006, after a three year valiant fight against the complications of a malignant brain tumor. Mary Adele, a fifth generation Texan, was born in Carrizo Springs to Cornelia and Ben Patterson on February 9, 1935. She grew up on a ranch, rode a horse to school, was active as drum major in the band, played classical piano, and led her basketball team to the state championship tournament in Austin as captain. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in English. While at SMU she was a member of Chi-Omega, student council, president of the SMU-Y, Mortarboard, and Homecoming Queen. After graduation from SMU, she obtained her Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas in English and History. She taught in Carrizo Springs High School for one year and then married her husband of over 46 years, Dr. Kent Beasley, while he was attending Tulane Medical School. While in New Orleans, Mary Adele taught at St. Martins Episcopal School. When Dr. Beasley started his internship and residency at Parkland Memorial Hospital, Mary Adele taught at St. Marks School in Dallas. She was the first female teacher in the upper school of St. Marks. Following their move to Rochester, Minnesota, and the Mayo Clinic, Mary Adele devoted her life to her family. She is survived by her husband, Kent Beasley M.D., her son Travis and his wife Dana and their son Samuel Kent, her daughter Janet and her husband Dan Orfield and their children Austin and Claire Adele, her daughter Adele and her husband Glen Rives and their son Luke, and her son Paul Beasley. She is also survived by her brother, Ben M. Patterson, and his wife Donna, their children and grandchildren, as well as cousins Wanda Agnew, Mack Harris, and Sylvia Schulze. Mary Adele was a source of living energy, love, and happiness for her family and many friends. After breast cancer in 1983 she was active in Reach to Recovery. She continued her interest in educational activities and was active on the St. Andrews Board, the guidance committee of Westlake High School, and was an avid reader. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, hunting and fishing and was active in the Settlement Club, the Austin Science Center, the Women’s Symphony League, and continued and cherished her friends in the sewing club, Westlake Bible Study, her “lunch bunch” from the guidance committee, and enjoyed the Headliner’s Club. She was a longtime member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church where she was very active when her children were growing up. The family wishes to thank her physicians, Dr. Ken Kroll, Dr. Tom Blevins, Dr. Jack Whitaker, Dr. David Morledge, Dr. Marvin Cressman, Dr. Scott Clitheroe, and Dr. Darryl Camp. The family wishes to thank Seton Medical Center, the Capital Medical Clinic staff and all who participated in her medical care, including her many caregivers. Pallbearers include Arch Beasley, Bob Clark, Earle Haley, Glen Rives, Dan Orfield, Don Rives, Jack Whitaker MD, Ken Kroll MD, Tom Blevins MD, Grover Bynum MD, Archie Robinson MD, and Dave Morris MD. Honorary Pallbearers include the Capital Medical Clinic Physicians, Norton Baker, George Reynolds, Dick Davis, James Holmes, Ward Huey, Jim Roberts, Clark Hoagland, Craig McDonald, Charles Mullins MD, and Charles Johnson. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, January 30, 2006 at Austin Memorial Park followed by a memorial service at 10:00 a.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Memorial contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Seton Development Fund, Settlement Home, American Cancer Society or charity of your choice. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com