Mary Patterson Dickson

Mary Patterson Dickson of Leander, Texas went to be with her Lord and Savior, passing peacefully as sunset approached on July 30th, 2023. She was surrounded by her husband, William Howard Dickson, Jr. (Bill) and family.

Mary was born in Childress, Texas on September 5th, 1948, to Harlie Burdette Patterson (HB) and Bonnie Bookout Patterson. She spent her formative years in Harlingen, Texas, and the “Valley.” The Valley was home to her vivacious and substantial immediate and extended family. Family she would love and know for a lifetime. Mary graduated in 1970 from Baylor University in Waco with a BSN degree in Nursing and would become an Oncology Certified Nurse. Her nursing career would take her throughout the state of Texas. Among the places that Mary applied her care were MD Anderson (Houston, Texas), Valley Baptist Hospital (Harlingen), East Texas Chest Hospital (Tyler, Texas), Holy Cross Hospital (Austin), and Austin Dialysis. It was at East Texas Chest Hospital that Mary and Bill first met. Bill was an auditor for the State and Mary was kicked out of her office to accommodate his work. And the rest, as they say, is history, marrying on August 23rd, 1975. Mary’s longest tenure, and the final posting of her impactful career, was at Texas Oncology (formerly Central Texas Oncology Associates). There she would both support and develop lasting friendships with Dr. Jerry Fain, Dr. Demetrius Loukas, Dr. Laura Bunch, Dr. Richard Helmer, Roxie Sparks, and many, many more. Not to mention the undeniable impact she had on patients in her care. No matter where she went, someone always knew, loved, and appreciated Mary. From the west coast, to the State Fair, to the grocery story, she was recognized by someone she had touched. She retired in 2014, but never stopped nursing others.

Mary and Bill made their home in Austin. Mary was a long-time member of Hyde Park Baptist Church and a charter member of Austin Baptist Church. Faith and family were of the utmost importance to her. She showed this with a sweet dedication to service in her churches. Serving in Nursery care, as a long-time children’s Sunday School teacher, and numerous other committees. Her own family would grow with her daughter, Robyn Garza, in 1977 and her son, Patrick Dickson, in 1980. She was a devoted, loving, entertaining, and unique mother to them. Within the span of five days in 2012, Mary went from mom to Mimi (a grandmother four times over), with the birth of her first grandchild, Joaquin Aidan Garza on May 11, 2012 and the birth of her three granddaughters, Mary Alison Dickson, Malone Hesperia Dickson, and MarrGwen Rhys Dickson, on May 16, 2012. She loved her new babies fiercely.

Mary is preceded in her passing by her father, HB; mother, Bonnie of Harlingen, Texas; and brother, Richard Patterson of Garland, Texas. She is survived, and her memory kept alive, by her husband, Bill; her brother William Burdette Patterson, Deer Park, Texas; her daughter’s family, Robyn and Ron Garza and grandson Joaquin, Cedar Park, Texas; and her son’s family, MarrGwen and Patrick Dickson and granddaughters Mary Alison, Malone, and MarrGwen, Austin, Texas. The list of cousins, aunts, uncles, second-cousins, in-laws, and extended family that lived with Mary, went before her, and still love her today is too long to list. Know that each one of you was loved and cherished.

We, her family, would like to send special acknowledgement to Dr. Demetrius Loukas, and his team, and all the individuals at Texas Oncology. From reception, to bloodwork, to labs, to pharmacy, to nurses, to infusion staff…you were family. Thank you. And thank you also to the staff at MD Anderson in Houston and the staff at Seton Hospital in Austin.

A Celebration of Mary’s life will be held at Austin Baptist Church on Friday, August 11th, 2023 at 11:00am. You are invited to attend and to stay for a reception after the Celebration. Austin Baptist Church is located at 7016 Ribelin Ranch Drive, Austin, Texas 78750.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Austin Baptist Church General Fund, the American Cancer Society, or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.