Patricia Lynn McKown

Pat and her family moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico, in 1955 where they lived until 1967. Pat loved growing up in New Mexico and always reminisced about “getting lost in the mountains” and the drive to Albuquerque in the back of the station wagon. In 1967, the McKown family moved to Upper Arlington, Ohio, with Pat fighting all the way.

Pat attended Hastings Middle School and Upper Arlington High School where she graduated in 1971. She then attended The Ohio State University receiving her BA in Music Education in 1976 and then continued her education receiving her MA in 1998. Pat’s career was spent in the Gahanna Jefferson Public Schools as the Orchestra Director. Her passion was to work with children through music. She spent her thirty plus years building a program that became well known and respected. She poured her heart into her work daily. One of her greatest and fondest accomplishments was the creation of the G.L. Fiddlers.

Pat had been with the love of her life, Rae Rooney, for 36 years. It only took them 28 years to finally marry on November 1, 2017, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Pat had a soft spot for their furry friends, treating each and every one like their children. All the dogs, a few cats and birds over the years were their family. The fur babies loved to go camping.

Pat enjoyed spending time with family, camping and watching old tv shows. It was nothing for her to spend the evening watching Dick Van Dyke or Perry Mason and let’s not forget MASH. She was also just as content listening to music and reading or listening to a book. She so enjoyed being read the Mitford Series by Jan Karon especially when she discovered it was based in Blowing Rock, NC. Pat and Rae visited Blowing Rock each summer beginning in 2015 until 2024. She looked forward to that trip and the time with family.

Patricia is survived by her spouse, Rae Rooney; siblings Jerry (Karen) McKown and Bette McKown; brother-in-laws Kevin (Michelle) Rooney, Michael (Glenda) Rooney, Tom (Debbie) Rooney and Doyle Clear; sister-in-law Christi (Bryan) Bristow; nieces Becky Rooney, Emily Bristow, Bre Schwarz, Laura (Josh) Siegal, Bree Rooney, Lisa (Mike) Waickman, and Megan (Nate) Figula; nephews Kevin Rooney Jr, Kevin (Krista) Clear, Damon (Samantha) McKown and Brian (Carrie) Fike; aunt Ruth Elgin and numerous cousins, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Patricia bravely battled the progression of dementia over the last few years. It was her desire to remain at home during her battle and end of life journey. The family wishes to thank Lindsay (Jared) Ballenger for her superior care of Patricia and loving her like family just as Patricia loved her. Lindsay, you are undoubtedly a member of this family, thank you.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 19, at 2:45 p.m. at Schoedinger Funeral Home in Dublin. The family will be available from 12:30 to 2:45 p.m. for visitation.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Gahanna Lincoln Instrumental Music Boosters (GLIMB) or the Central Ohio Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Perhaps someday, just maybe, future generations will be able to better manage this debilitating disease.