Pat Farley

Pat Farley

1929 – 2016

Mary Katherine “Pat” Williams Farley was born July 1, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Dr. James Rex Williams and Mary Tunnicliff Williams. She passed away on Aug. 12, 2016 in Edmond, Oklahoma. She is survived by her son Jim of Edmond, Jim’s wife Judy and their children Emily Farley Russell and her husband Zach, Matthew McClain Farley and his fiancé Ali Aufleger, and Meredith Williams Farley; her daughter Kay Marxkors of Bloomington, Illinois, Kay’s husband Keith and their children William Royce Marxkors and Katharine Ann Marxkors. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Imogene Williams of Del City; her brother-in-law James Farley of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; her sister-in-law Gwen Horton of Tulsa; four nephews and one niece. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton on November 12, 2006, her brother Rex Williams, and her parents.

Pat’s mother named her Patricia at birth without consulting Rex who was busy at work. Later that day, he insisted that his daughter be named after her mother and her name was changed to Mary Katherine. Her mother continued to call her Pat from that day on.

Pat grew up in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, where her father practiced medicine for 35 years. She attended elementary school in Siloam Springs and graduated from high school at The Barstow School in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1947. Pat loved attending school within walking distance of the Plaza. She attended the University of Arkansas where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. Pat was selected as a campus beauty queen at the University of Arkansas. Pat and Milton were married in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

She faithfully followed her husband’s career in the oil industry, moving her family wherever his job required. She has been a resident of Edmond since 1967. Pat served as a den mother, a Brownie leader, and a Girl Scout leader. She was also active in her children’s PTA activities.

She was a member of First Christian Church where she volunteered in the office. She thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Northern Hills Elementary the ten years her grandchildren were there. She was an active member in the Edmond Pi Phi Alumnae Club. She worked tirelessly for many years with the Edmond Panhellenic, a group she was instrumental in reorganizing in 1986. She helped countless girls prepare for sorority rush as they entered college. She was determined to make sure that every girl from Edmond was given a fair chance and for that effort hundreds of Edmond girls thank her.

Pat will always be remembered for her infectious laugh and for her love of her family. She thoroughly enjoyed participating in her grandchildren’s many activities. She loved decorating her home for the appropriate holiday and making costumes for her children’s and grandchildren’s special events. She loved American Girl tea parties, baseball games, and adopting homeless dogs. She loved playing games, birthday parties, and sleepovers at her house. She loved church and school programs, anything where she could point out her grandchildren to anyone remotely interested. We remember her most for her gentle, loving spirit. A special part of Pat will be with us always and we will think fondly of her whenever we go to the Plaza in Kansas City or when we see an orphan pet along the roadside.

Pat’s family wants to extend their heartfelt thanks to Pat’s friends who visited her frequently throughout her stay at Bradford Village, especially Ruthann Postier, Linda Hutson, Jamie Gray, and Judy Powell. Thanks to the entire staff at Touchmark, at Bradford Village, and from Good Shepherd Hospice who cared for Pat during her final years. Thanks to Sharon Brown who sat with Pat each night singing hymns and reading Scripture to her. Thanks to the Elders from First Christian Church in Edmond who conduct weekly worship services at Bradford Village and continued to serve Pat communion when she could no longer attend services. And finally, thanks to all volunteers who provide pet therapy services in long-term care facilities.

Everyone who has known Pat has been touched by her gentle caring spirit. We are grateful for the time we got to spend with you and will treasure all the memories we created with you. We are comforted knowing you are in Heaven and are watching over us in everything we do. After a private family burial service, a public Memorial Service will be held at First Christian Church in Edmond on August 16, 2016 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the OSU Foundation and designated to the Pi Beta Phi Scholarship Fund in memory of Pat Farley. Checks should be payable to the OSU Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1749, Stillwater, OK 74076-1749. Memorial donations may also be made online at www.OSUgiving.com.