Patricia Bruce-Hicks Obituary

Patricia Ann Bruce-Hicks, beloved wife, mother, Nana and Great-Nana, passed from this earth into the loving arms of her savior Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, after a two-year battle with chronic illness. She passed from this world at the age of 74, in much the same way she lived, very peacefully and surrounded by her loving and adoring family.

She was born Patricia Ann Vallie in Buffalo, NY on October 16, 1946, the only daughter of Doris T and John E Vallie.

Pat is survived by:

Immediate Family

Her loving and devoted husband of 33-years Audel Harrison Hicks, Jr Daughter Lori Bruce Herzik and husband Jeffrey L Herzik Brother John Vallie and wife Hillary Vallie Brother Jim Vallie and wife Donna Vallie Granddaughter Jordan Michele Eaves and husband Jacob Eaves Great-granddaughter Rylee Michele Eaves and soon to arrive great-grandson Wesson Michael Eaves Grandson J Garrett Herzik and wife Lauren Herzik

Family by Marriage:

Stepson Craig Allen Hicks Stepdaughter Michele Hicks-Baker Stepdaughter Stephanie Hicks-Cade Stepdaughter Allison Hicks-Rosenquest as well as 8 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren

Adopted Family:

Amy Davidson Bobby and Teri Horswell Granddaughter Abby Horswell Grandson Lucas Horswell Eric and Carrie Oblinger Granddaughter Melissa Oblinger Tito and Priscilla Gamez Granddaughter Abigail Gamez

And many, many others, too many to list

Pat grew up and graduated from high school in Buffalo, NY and promptly entered the work force, working full time at a windshield wiper factory. At age 19 she married Bill Bruce, Jr and sometime after gave birth to Lori Ann Bruce. Pat became estranged from her husband shortly after Lori’s birth, and raised Lori from a small child through adulthood as a single parent, often working as many as three jobs to ensure Lori was taken care of, and with the loving support of her in-laws Bill Bruce Sr and Lorraine Bruce. But, even with the load she was under she still found time for adventure. Her main mode of transportation for many years was a motorbike, and she even attended Woodstock, which occurred right down the road from where she lived.

Pat and Lori left Buffalo in 1976 for Florida, and eventually landed in Houston, TX in 1977. Pat soon found work at a fledgling company which eventually evolved International Diamond Services (IDS), where she worked until she retired in 2019. However, she also worked numerous other jobs during this time to make ends meet, including bartending and waitressing. Pat was an extremely hard worker and rarely if ever took days away from any of her jobs, not even vacation days.

Pat and Audel were introduced by Lori in 1987. They hit it off almost immediately and were married February 20, 1988. They turned out to be the love of each other’s lives, soul mates, and were as much or more in love at the time of her death than the day they married.

Pat attended private Catholic school as a youth, but found her true calling as a follower of Christ when she joined Trinity Luther Church in Klein, TX in the mid-1990s. Pat soon became active in the church volunteering, doing service work, greeting people as they entered the sanctuary, teaching Sunday school, and eventually became director of the Children’s Sunday School ministry, where she served for many years and touched the lives of many generations of TLC children and adults. Once retired from Sunday school ministry, you would still see Pat performing the hand signals with the children’s choir, which she had taught prior groups of children so many years earlier. She also was instrumental in starting a support group for families struggling with addiction and other maladies, which continues to this day.

Pat had a servant heart, especially for children’s ministry, but also for anyone she met. If ever she met a family without a local support family, they soon became her family, hence the long list of adopted family above. She was always willing to give of herself, while never asking for any help in return, and she gave of her time and talents with a joyful heart just as Jesus instructed. In her daily life she was all business, no-nonsense and efficient. However, with her grandchildren her heart melted and she had the patience of Job, allowing them to help her prepare meals when they were very young and mostly caused her more work than the help they provided. And, she would spend hours upon hours helping them create crafts and artwork, glitter and glue flying everywhere making huge messes in her kitchen, which she joyfully cleaned up so they could start the next project.

Pat has won the race, and is home now with her savior. Although, she touched the lives of so many here on earth that her absence has left a void which will not soon be filled, if ever. However, we have so many great memories of her to hang on to, such as when she would laugh uncontrollably at something Audie had said or done (to the point of snorting), the amazing holiday celebrations with all of our family and adopted family, her annual Christmas present opening video taking, the thoughtful gifts she always hand-picked, putting one hand on her hip while pointing with that mile long index finger when she was miffed or making a point, her quick wit and intelligence, how she enjoyed being picked at and always had a quick rebuttal, but most of all her loving smile, which so many of us that she loved know all about. We love you Nana and will miss you until the day we see you in Heaven.

 

Pat and Audel would prefer for donations to be given to Trinity Klein Lutheran School. 

Trinity Lutheran School
18926 Klein Church Road
Klein, TX 77379-3438
 
https://www.trinityklein.org/school/support-trinity/