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HEARD Patricia Jean Heard, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, died on April 2, 2009. Pat was born on April 21, 1933 in Flasher, North Dakota, to Ferdinand and Katherine Gustin. The youngest of twelve children, Pat grew up in the farming community of Flasher and moved to Bismarck as a young woman. There she met Charles Heard, an Air Force sergeant from Georgia, who courted her with his Southern charm. Pat and Chuck were married on August 17, 1957, and embarked upon the life of a career military family. With their children, Chris, Charjean and Patty, they lived throughout the United States and in Guam and Germany. At the time of her retirement, Pat was the branch manager of SSFCU at Security Hill. She belonged to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society. Pat and Chuck filled their retirement years with volunteer work, travel, family and friends. Pat enjoyed cooking for loved ones, reading, playing cards, exploring new restaurants and working out with her friends at Curves. Most of all, Pat enjoyed, and dearly loved, her granddaughters, who will treasure their many memories of Nana. She made the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Pat and Chuck celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2007, surrounded by family and friends. They were blessed with the gift of keeping old friends and making new acquaintances into yet more old friends. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, Ida Mullins, Albert Gustin, Pauline Laney, Margaret Wingerter, Agnes Martin, Leo Gustin, Alphonse Gustin and Rev. Theodore Gustin, and infant son Bradley. She is survived by her loving and beloved family: husband, Charles Heard, children, Chris Heard and wife Tina, Charjean Neuer and husband Ray, Patty Heard and husband Paul Howells, and grandchildren, Marcus Heard, Keven Bair, Taegan and Linden Howells. She is also survived by her much loved sisters, Rose Uhlman and husband Gordon, Anne Stack and Blondie Pfau, sisters-in-law Pudge Gustin and Mary Gustin, numerous nieces and nephews and many dear friends. The family deeply appreciates the compassionate care given by Drs. Aung, Karnad and Tharian of UT Medicine and by Christus VNA Hospice, especially Andrea Hoffman, Jean Van Nest, DoRethia Jamison-Dixon and Dolores Gonzales, whom we suspect is an angel in disguise. The family wishes to thank Becky O'Kruhlik and Mario Laboral for their kind and loving care. To all of Mom and Dad's family, friends and neighbors and to our friends and co-workers, words are inadequate to express our gratitude for your love, prayers and support. Pat's love extended to her "grandcats" and "granddogs" and it was her wish that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society SPCA of Bexar County, 4804 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio 78229. Pat faced her illness with the same strength and courage she had shown so many other times in her life. Even in the final days of her illness, she made us laugh. We love her and we will miss her. SERVICES Visitation will be held on Tuesday April 7, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Mission Park North, 3401 Cherry Ridge. A memorial mass will be held on Wednesday April 8, 2009, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 13715 Riggs Road, Helotes. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Services under the direction of Mission Park. You may sign the on-line guest book at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section. MISSION PARK FUNERAL CHAPELS NORTH 3401 CHERRY RIDGE DRIVE SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78230 210-349-1414

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Patricia Jean Heard

April 21, 1933 - April 2, 2009