Patricia Atkins

She attended Ursuline Academy, in San Antonio, from the primer through high school. Among her fondest school year memories were, at age 13, winning the city-wide essay contest with her essay on "What American Means To Me". Another memory of which she was very proud was being chosen as a sponsor for Central Catholic High School., marching with the boys of the Blue Battalion in 1942 and 1943.

She was president of her class during her high school years, achieving the highest grade average and receiving the scholarship into what was then Incarnate Word College.

Pat's sisters, Lemoyne and Joyce Flaherty were professional singers. However, singing was not Pat's forte.

It was "the dance" especially ballroom dancing which she enjoyed. During the war years, Pat joined the Liberty Belles, a government sponsored program of young ladies who entertained our servicemen at dances held at the various army bases and USOs. She also participated in skits produced for the servicemen's entertainment.

She volunteered her services with the U.S. Signal Corps, tracking air traffic in the State of Texas.

She married Ernest Broggi, Jr. in 1949 and, after 10 years, they were blessed with a son, Jack Stephen Broggi, whom Pat dearly loved and was there for her throughout her life. This marriage ended in divorce in 1975, after which time Pat entered the business world employed by the prestigious law firm of Brock, Bingham & Person, as legal secretary to one of the partners, her dear friend, David Person.

In 1985 she retired from the law firm to marry Center "Chip" Atkins, whom she had known as a good friend from the late 1950s.

Chip and Pat had so much in common to share one was their love of dancing which they enjoyed often on the many cruises and other travels on which they embarked and another was their hobby and interest in the Collie breed of dogs.

Under the kennel name of Lode-Ark, they bred many champions. Chip was a licensed Collie judge and they traveled throughout the U.S. as far as Hawaii when Chip was invited to judge. On many of these assignments Pat was asked to judge the Sweepstakes.

Chip and Pat had a very happy, fun-filled marriage for 17 years, at which time she lost her "knight in shining armor" due to complications from cancer.

In her earlier years, Pat volunteered her services through several agencies for the betterment of needy children's health.

She was a member of the Beta Tau Zeta Sorority, the Holy Family Guild, the Sultanas de Bejar, and a charter member of the Bel Meade Garden Club. Her gardening skills and her love of a beautiful yard were evident in the landscaping of her homes.

She was a member of the Collie Club of America, secretary of the Quarter Century Collie Group and the San Antonio Collie Club. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Lemoyne Flaherty Menger and husband, Albert and her niece Barbara Menger.

She is survived by her son, Jack Stephen Broggi, her sister, Joyce Flaherty Trusdel, her granddaughter Jennifer Baughmen Jeffrey and three great-grandchildren, Lauryn, Katelyn, and Jeffrey. She is also survived by her nieces, Ruth Menger O'Higgins, Lemoyne Menger, and Suzanne Trusdel Tracey, who she was very close to during their growing-up years. She is also survived by several great nieces and nephews. Pat is also survived by her step-son, Steve Atkins and his wife, and daughter, Christy and Jessie Rose, as well as her step-daughters, Shawn Harms John and Sheri Weiters Charles and their daughters, Krystal and Amber.

Pat leaves behind some very special friends, her sister-in-law, Juliette Broggi, Shirley and John DiBattista, Dr. William Brokken and his wife, Doris, Leslie and Don Jeszewski, Catherine Boggess, and Deborah Frederick, who was of great help and support during Pat's sickness.

Visitation will be on Monday, May 10, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Porter Loring on McCullough.

ROSARY

MONDAY

MAY 10, 2010

6:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

MASS

TUESDAY

MAY 11, 2010

10:30 A.M.

ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH

3907 HARRY WURZBACH ROAD at URBAN CREST

Rev. Msgr. Liam Brosnan, Celebrant and Rev. Francis McHugh, Concelebrant. Honorary Pallbearers are John Di Battista, David Person, Dr. William Brokken, and Don Jeszewski.

Pallbearers are Steve Atkins, Ignacio O'Higgins, John O'Higgins, Chris Hicks, Scott Freddie and Tracey Ealy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Start Center for Cancer Care, 4383 Medical Dr., San Antonio, TX 78229 or to The Collie Health Foundation, 827 Bowman Rd., Jackson NJ 08527.

Interment in Mission Burial Park South.

From Jack Broggi:

I am touched and comforted by my mom's friends' actions at this time of her passing. I truly appreciate you friendship to her and my family.

Thank you all very much