Patricia Mae Ellinger

Patricia Donegan “Pat” Ellinger, passed from this life to the next on April 27 surrounded by her family at her home in Dallas, Texas. Born May 26, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN she was the only daughter of Charles Donegan and Lillian Murnane and sister to Charles Donegan, Jr. Pat grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and Chicago, IL. She attended St. Therese Academy High School in Kansas City, MO and DePaul University in Chicago, IL.

In 1931, Pat met the love of her life, Bob Ellinger; they were six years old. They remained friends throughout their school years, reconnecting again after WWII - and married November 23, 1946. Together they raised six daughters. In 1963 life took them from Kansas City to Dallas where they made their home and became Texans. A busy mother, Pat was a skilled seamstress, and with six daughters her sewing machine was always buzzing. She was an accomplished artist and worked in oils, pastels and water color. Pat and Bob enjoyed travelling and fell in love with Laguna Beach, California spending many vacations in her favorite spot gazing at the ocean.

Pat was a woman of service her whole life; and a woman of faith. She was active in the Ladies Circle of St. Thomas Aquinas Church. In 1991 following quintuple by-pass surgery for Bob, he and Pat founded Baylor Cardiac Support Group which meets to this day. Pat served as a Baylor Caring Hearts volunteer for many years. She will be most remembered for the twinkle in her “Irish Eyes,” her playful sense of humor and her deep faith.

On October 10, 2009 Pat’s sweetheart and life long dance partner Bob left this world. At 84, Pat started a new life at Churchill Estates where she met new friends and family. She loved her new home. The staff became her new extended family – they loved her too.

Pat and Bob are together again, dancing by the light of the silvery moon. She leaves behind her six daughters and their spouses: Maureen and Mike Farmer, Lynn and Larry Tramel, Joan and Jim Bertucci, Denise and Michael Moran, Elaine Starr, and Barbara and Roy Jacobs. She had 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, and 1 great, great-granddaughter. Pat will be greatly missed by “her girls” and a large extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and many loving friends.

Sunday, May 2 visitation will be held from 4pm to 6pm. The rosary will be prayed at 5p.m. Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas, TX 75225

Monday, May 3 at 10:00 a. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church at 6306 Kenwood, Dallas TX 75214 Fr. John Libone presiding.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:

Baylor Foundation/Caring Hearts, 3600 Gaston Ave., Dallas TX 75246

Visiting Nurses Association 1440 West Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75247

Benedictine Mission House, PO Box 528 Schuyler, NE 68661.