Patricia Ironside

Patricia Ann Kearns was born in Bridgeport Connecticut to William and Mary Kearns on August 30, 1933. Pat grew up in Stratford Connecticut. Pat was educated in Catholic schools. She played field hockey and basketball. She graduated in 1951 from Lauralton Hall in Milford Connecticut. She attended many Girl Scout events, including camping. She water skied in Acapulco Bay. She participated in riding events. She played in softball leagues. She was a service representative for Southern New England Telephone Company in Bridgeport Connecticut for five years.

Pat married Robert A. Ironside, Jr. on September 24, 1954 at St. James Church in Stratford Connecticut. Lauralton Hall's Chaplin celebrated the mass. This was the beginning of many travels as an army wife. Following her fall honeymoon in Canada, they lived in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania where son David was born. In June of 1957 it was off to the foothills of the Bavarian Alps in West Germany for four years where daughter Patsy was born. While in West Germany, Pat's travels included Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, Luxembourg and Switzerland. After leaving the cold and snow of four years behind, it was off to the desert southwest. Tucson Arizona was where son Mike was born. It was back to the cold and snow of the East Coast. Son Mark was born at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. This is where Pat managed a new home and four kids while Bob was in Vietnam the first time. Next it was off the Virginia.

The next location was Taipei Taiwan for two years. This experience added to Pat's large list of world cultures. The next year Pat and the kids were off to White Sands Missile Range New Mexico while Bob was back in Vietnam for the second time. Finally, it was Grand Prairie Texas in June of 1972. Shortly afterwards, Bob was stationed in Augusta Georgia, but Pat and the kids stayed in Grand Prairie. David went all out in bowling, Patsy in gymnastics, Mike in swimming and Mark in soccer. Pat was everywhere with all of her children's activities.

Pat has two grand daughters. Jennifer and her husband Mario, along with her two great grandchildren, Anne and Luke from San Antonio Texas. Grand daughter Sofia is in California.

Everywhere Pat lived she still made time for her activities. Church, swimming, playing bridge, gardening (mostly cacti), etc. Pat was passionate about taking care of her dogs. Pat greatly enjoyed her books. Pat was at home on a dance floor or at a campfire. She was sociable by nature. She touched so many lives. Her spirit lives on. Rest in peace!