Patsy Cartwright

Patsy Cartwright September 13, 1927 December 8, 2013 Jean Elizabeth McFarland Cartwright, known to everyone as "Patsy," died peacefully at her home on December 8, 2013, surrounded by her family. She was 86 years old. A private burial will be held on Wednesday, December 11, at Oakwood Cemetery, and a 1:30 p.m. memorial service will follow at St. Paul's Episcopal Church with Rev. Chuck Treadwell and Rt. Rev. Rayford High officiating; a reception will follow at the church. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 13, 1927, Patsy was the daughter of the late Jean and Russell S. McFarland. She was raised in Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Highland Park High School. Starting college at the University of Colorado, Patsy later transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a B.A. in psychology, joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and met her life-long love, the late Jerome Cartwright, on a blind date. Patsy and "Jerry," as he was known, married at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas on September 9, 1950. They lived in Austin, and, after Jerry finished law school, they moved to Waco. Patsy worked as a therapist at the Waco VA Medical Center and later as a teacher at St. Alban's Episcopal School. She had a passion for people and significantly contributed to Waco through her volunteerism. Patsy was the past president of the Women's Division of the United Way, Oakwood Cemetery, Planned Parenthood, The Art Center, and the Waco Cotton Palace Corporate Board. She was the first Cotton Palace Program Chairwoman in 1971, becoming General Chairwoman in 1978, and she was chairwoman of the Junior League's first Charity Ball. Patsy was also an active board member with the Cameron Park Zoo, the Waco Symphony Orchestra, and Camp Fire. During her lifetime, Patsy was an involved member at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. She served on the Vestry, the Canterbury House Board, the Altar Guild, and as president of Women of the Church. Patsy participated in Education for Ministry and the church's Meals on Wheels program. She loved traveling, painting, snow skiing, tennis, fly-fishing, bird hunting, mahjong, and her Thursday Study Club. Above all, she treasured time spent with her grandchildren. Patsy had the opportunity to travel throughout the world in her lifetime, and she had an endearing, intrepid spirit for anything that she did. Africa, the Texas Hill Country, and the area around her family's home near Lake George, Colorado, were all places that she cherished and that captured her imagination. She adored animals, particularly dogs and birds, and she had a special affection for Canada Geese, which she called and fed by the hundreds. Patsy is survived by her daughter, Jeannie, and husband, David Dickson; grandson, Austin Cartwright Dickson, and granddaughter, Annalisa, and husband, Wilson Peppard; sister-in-law, Virginia McFarland; and nieces, Katharine Pitt Bowman and Ginger McFarland. Her parents, husband, and brothers, Russell and Douglas, preceded her in death. She was loved by her many friends and her family, and she will be greatly missed. The family would like to thank her loving caregivers: Elvira Marton, Debby Stewman, Mary Miller, Sandy Bravo, Sue Wells, and the late Janie Snell. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul's Episcopal Church, the Waco Foundation, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.