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Patricia Helen O’Brien, of San Antonio, Texas, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025 surrounded by love. Born August 12, 1943, in San Antonio, Patty was a lifelong learner and an avid explorer of the natural world. She found wonder in wildflowers, cacti, fossils, rocks, and seashells and never lost her curiosity or sense of discovery. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents Thomas and Helen O’Brien. Patricia proudly began her journey of discovery as a 25 year member of the Girl Scouts, with fond memories of Camp LaJita. Patty left this memory of her time in Scouting “My life has been greatly influenced by the time I spent in scouting. I attribute the fact that I became a very self-sufficient independent individual to my scouting experience.” She carried that spirit of service and community throughout her life. She devoted 41 years of teaching in the San Antonio School District at Bonham Elementary school. She taught first, second and third grades, and had many multigenerational students over the years. She nurtured the minds and hearts of countless students with patience, kindness, and dedication. She made many life long friends and family through teaching. A true animal lover, Patty had a special place in her heart for Basset Hounds. In 1964 she found her love of Basset Hounds “two dogs long and half a dog high”. She left a memorial list of her beloved hounds and temperaments: 1964-1976 O’Brien’s Sambeau, 1976-1981 Winsome Willie, 1981-1996 Mischievous Marc, 1996-2009 Coy Cody, 2009-2010 Chase (lost early related to habit of eating things). In 2010 Patty met Joan Urban (deceased) and Aaron Costilla, owner of Fort Merrill Basset Hounds, which furthered her love of the breed and started her into the world of AKC dog showing. Adopting first 2010-2021 AKC Patty’s Classy Babe Flossie Jane “Flossie Jane”, 2013-2022 AKC CH Fort Merrill Iron Man “Tony”, 2022-present AKC Fort Merrill’s Karma’s A “B” and AKC CH Jolly’s Time Angel at Fort Merrill “Merrill”. She made many friends and family through her Bassets. Patty had many interests and hobbies over the years. She had a rock and fossil collection a museum would be proud. She was an avid collector of succulents and cactus, and interesting pots to showcase them. She was a proud and faithful fan of the San Antonio Spurs, attending many games and collecting memorabilia. She had a marvelous eye for photography and her pictures of Texas Wildflowers have been enjoyed by so many people over the years. Her favorite memory of wildflower hunting was with her mother, Helen, the spring of 1985 when a 13 inch January snowfall led to a bummer crop of spring wildflowers, “We prided ourselves in finding the flowers that most people had never seen.” Patty was a meticulous seamstress. Prided herself in her beautiful lawn and flower beds. She collected many different types of Santa Clauses. Patty decorated the entry gate to Fort Merrill Bassets for every holiday and season. Not to mention a fabulous Facebook poster, keeping everyone apprised of actives both in her life and Fort Merrill Basset Hounds. Thank you to Trinity Hospice and Cimarron Nursing Home, while her time was with you was short, she received very prompt and compassionate care. Patty will be remembered for her quiet strength, deep compassion, gentle humor, and unwavering love for learning. Her legacy lives on both in and out of the classroom. She is survived by her chosen son Aaron James Gregory Costilla. Visitation will be at Mission Park Funeral Chapels South, Cemeteries & Crematories, Wednesday April 23, 2025 from 5-8 pm. 1700 SE Military Dr. San Antonio, TX 78214 Graveside service will be at San Jose Burial Park, 8235 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78214, Thursday April 24, 2025 at 9:00am with Pastor David Miracle to officiate. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to Basset Hound of America Health Foundation. https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbasset-bhca.org%2Fbhca-foundation%2Fdonate%2F&data=05%7C02%7Csdelgado%40missionparks.com%7C567c847a2a354cdcde5b08dd81af4dc9%7C960df643729d4d02a392824ac41d3a09%7C0%7C0%7C638809312145858206%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YQohaT46ON2APOfkDXi0APiqyD33QQkD%2ByN9w9ZaQdM%3D&reserved=0

Tributes

Patricia Helen O'Brien

August 12, 1943 - April 17, 2025