Patricia A. Edwards

Patricia A. Edwards, age 79, passed away peacefully on October 17th, 2024. Patricia was born to David and Ivy Edwards of Omaha Ne, May 23rd 1945, born premature and weighing just over 2 pounds and was not expected to survive. Patricia faced many health challenges over the course of her life, as result of polio at the age of 7. She was placed in an iron lung for 21 days and then spent nearly a year at Clarkson Hospital.

Patricia’s family made sure Patricia was able to attend school and later worked in housekeeping at the University Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) for over 38 years in the labor and delivery department. She also volunteered at the hospital for over 35 years. She was well known and beloved by her colleagues during her tenure, including the nurses and doctors for her positive attitude and work ethic.

After retirement, Patricia moved to Maple Ridge where she resided for over 15 years and was known as “the Angel of Maple Ridge”. She drove her red electric scooter down the hallways each day delivering items to residents and checking on them. As always, Patricia was cheerful and provided friendship to many of the residents.

Patricia loved being with her family and friends and was affectionately known as “Aunt Party.” She found a costume for every holiday including Halloween, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, and the 4th of July. Every costume included a “wild hat” and some “blinking lights”! Additionally, every family member and close friend knew Patty would be the first to send a birthday card. They later would receive a telephone call on their birthday with her rendition of the “Happy Birthday” song! She never missed a special date. Patricia was small in stature but had an enormous heart.

Another activity Patricia never missed was the chance to play a good bingo game with her friends at Maple Ridge, Bailey Pointe, and later Hillcrest. She was the Bingo Queen. She was strong in her faith and an active member of First Lutheran Church of Omaha.

Patricia’s family would like to provide a heartfelt thank you to her healthcare providers at Bailey Pointe, Hillcrest Health and Rehab and Nebraska Medicine for the excellent care they provided Patricia over the years and more recently as her health declined.

Patricia was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ivy & David Edwards; sister & brother in laws, Phyllis & Donald Becher; Mary Lou & Donald Turner; and niece Pamela Turner Larsen.

She is survived by her niece, Lorri Turner Sweetwood (Dan); niece Sandra Becher, and nephew in law James Larsen (Michelle). She is also survived by her her great nephews & nieces, Justin Larsen (Jaime), Joilynn Larsen, Joshua Larsen (Whitney), Jacob Sweetwood (Jordan), Jenna McQuistan (Jon) and Joseph Sweetwood along with her great, great nephews and nieces Jordyn Larsen, James Day, Jemma, Jayleigh, Jamesen, and Jude Larsen, Juliana McQuistan and Jackson Sweetwood and many beloved friends and extended family.

A "Celebration of Life” for Patricia’s family and friends will be held, Sunday November 3rd at 3pm, with luncheon reception to follow at Westlawn-Hillcrest Funeral Home Chapel, 5701 Center Street, Omaha.

Memorials are suggested to First Lutheran Church (542 South 31st Street, Omaha NE 68105) or the Munroe-Meyer Institute Century of Caring Excellence Fund: 01148730. Gifts may be made online at https://secure.nufoundation.org/give?fundid=01148730