Patsy Kelley Peterson

Patsy was born on October 4, 1939 in Austin, Texas to Charles Coopwood and Loura Lucille Kelley. She grew up in Lockhart, Texas and graduated from Uvalde High School in Uvalde, Texas.

Patsy attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas for two years and then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin where she graduated with a BA in English and History.

While at UT, in the Spring of 1962, Patsy was assigned to McCallum High School as a student teacher. Upon registration in the McCallum office her first day, a young, single coach winked at her, and the rest is history. Patsy married that coach, Oscar B. “Pete” Peterson Jr. on August 17, 1962. Pete was the love of her life – they were married for 60 years.

Patsy and Pete spent the first six years of marriage focused on the McCallum High School football and baseball teams. The young men from these teams have remained a part of their lives to this day.

On September 24, 1965, Patsy and Pete were blessed with a daughter, Pamela Lynn Peterson. Patsy was a loving and devoted stay-at-home mother to Pam and a very involved parent at both Good Shepherd Episcopal School and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School.

When St. Andrew’s Episcopal School approached Patsy to teach 4th Grade, she jumped at the chance. Patsy spent 16 years at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School teaching, encouraging, nurturing and inspiring countless students to be their best. She loved each and every one of them. When Pete started Pete Peterson & Associates, Patsy left St. Andrew’s to work with him and be by his side.

Patsy and Pete loved sports and spent their married life playing tennis and golf together. They loved attending Texas Longhorn football, baseball and basketball games together and with friends. Patsy loved to travel and was happiest spending time with Pete, family and friends at their homes in Rockport, Texas and Ruidoso, New Mexico.

Patsy’s greatest joy in life, other than being a mother, was being “MomMom” to her precious granddaughters, Grace and Blake. She spent countless hours when they were little holding them, reading to them, playing games with them, and showering them with unconditional love. She loved spending time with them in Ruidoso at Christmas baking cookies, building snowmen, and making snow angels. Patsy and Pete never missed a dance performance or competition, volleyball or basketball game, or school or special event of any kind. Patsy instilled in “her girls” a lifelong passion for learning and reading, her infectious love of Christmas, and a deep devotion to family.

Patsy and Pete were members of Austin Country Club where she played Women’s Team Tennis for many years. They were also members of the Austin Assembly and enjoyed spending time with treasured friends in their Dance Club and Supper Club.

Patsy and Pete were active members of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas. Patsy was president of the St. Anne’s Guild for multiple terms and volunteered in the church office every Wednesday. Patsy loved her church home dearly.

Patsy is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Coopwood Kelley and Loura Lucille Kelley. She is survived by her husband, Oscar B. “Pete” Peterson Jr.; her daughter, Pamela Peterson Gilmour; her son-in-law, Christopher Todd Gilmour; and her granddaughters, Caroline Grace Gilmour and Alexandra Blake Gilmour.

A Memorial Service for Patsy will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas (3201 Windsor Road) on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 10:30am. Memorial contributions may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.