Patricia Ann Hess

Funeral services for Patricia Ann Hess, 85, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday January 3, 2017 at Jesus the Good Shepherd Catholic Church with Rev. Jim Moran officiating. Interment will follow at Mulhearn Memorial Park Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.

Mrs. Hess was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 6, 1931 and died Tuesday December 27, 2016 at her residence in Monroe, LA. She became an RN in 1952 as a graduate of the Brooklyn Hospital School of Nursing. On August 14, 1952 she married William M. Hess. Pat had a career as a registered nurse before and after her marriage. She worked in hospitals and as a school nurse. Most of all she was a wonderful mother and was the hub of all family activity, much of which was centered around raising three very active children and supporting a husband who had to travel a lot in his work. Pat also became an avid traveler herself and many of the most treasured memories are from the family vacations that were taken over the years. She loved camping and was a driving force in getting her family to do this, particularly when the children were young. She took several cross country driving trips throughout the U.S. and Canada, eventually visiting all 50 states. These trips included an epic journey in 1953 along with her husband and brother. The trip was form Long Island, New York to Northern California and back. It totaled almost 8000 miles. There was no Interstate Highway System in 1953. They traveled West on the famous Route 66 and returned home on the almost equally famous Lincoln Highway which was called Main Street, U.S.A. and ran from California to New York. In the course of their travels Pat and her family visited about 44 U.S. National Parks (their favorite destinations) including two in Alaska and two in Hawaii.

Although Pat was unable to ski because of a 50+ year battle with M.S., she enjoyed many family ski trips to Colorado and Vermont. Two of these trips were out of Monroe in the early 1980’s with a distinguished group of people called “The Louisiana Snow Snakes”. They stayed at a hotel on the slopes in Snowmass, Colorado, and there were “Johnny’s Pizza” signs on the Aspen trees near the Lodge.

Pat was an enthusiastic Bridge player and played regularly in two groups in Monroe for many years. She also took many cruises with her family and friends, which included destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and to Hawaii and Alaska. She and her husband celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary with their whole family during an Alaska cruise in 2002.

Before being slowed down by M.S., Pat was also active in her Church. In New Jersey she worked with children in the local school system. Here in Monroe, she participated with the Jesus the Good Shepherd Church in the original Multi Church Program for collecting food for the needy. She also worked with the St. Vincent DePaul Community Pharmacy during its startup.

Pat will be greatly missed by her brother, family and friends.

Mrs. Hess was preceded in death by her father, John Monahan; and mother, Adele Monahan Halley.

She is survived by her husband of 64 years, William M. Hess; son, William F. Hess and wife Julie Brodrick-Hess; daughter, Barbara Elias and husband Louis Elias; three granddaughters, Sophie Elias, Bergin Elias and Mary Elias; daughter, Martha E. Hess; brother, John Monahan and wife Irene; sister-in-law, Mary Vaeth; brother-in-law, Robert MacStoker; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, January 2, 2017 with a Vigil Wake at 6:00 PM at Mulhearn Funeral Home, Monroe.

Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
Mulhearn Funeral Home
Sterlington Road
Monroe, LA