Reverend Mary Elizabeth "Patsy" Brundige

The Reverend Mary Elizabeth “Patsy” Brundige, age 88, of Dallas, Texas, passed away attended by family and nearby friends on August 3, 2021. Mary Elizabeth Patrick was born on March 24, 1933, in Dallas to Suzanne Bashaw Wilson and Thomas Eugene Patrick. Though an only child, Patsy always loved making friends and joining in the fun. She went through the local Dallas schools, graduating Woodrow Wilson High School and then Southern Methodist University. Patsy enjoyed sisterhood through the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Years later, after becoming a writer, wife and mother, she would return to SMU’s Perkins School of Theology and earn a Masters of Divinity degree and serve as the Reverend Patsy Brundige in the United Methodist Church.

Her first job after college was as Director of Public Relations for First Presbyterian Church, Dallas. She was a member of the Press Club of Dallas and was hired for the Centennial Year Celebration of First Presbyterian Church. She remained in that position until her marriage to Virgil Lee Brundige October 3, 1959.

With Virgil’s work as a chemical engineer for Mobil Oil, Patsy began to travel far and wide. This was a wonderful fit with Patsy’s curiosity and love of people.

She was ordained a pastor in the United Methodist Church in 1986 and served churches in Dallas, Carrollton and East Texas. She maintained an active affiliation with Oaklawn United Methodist Church in Dallas and then with her community at C.C. Young.

Virgil died young of lung cancer in 1989, and Patsy‘s work as a pastor and author sustained her through the rest of her ministry until retiring in 1999. She is the author of Hope for a Widow’s Shattered World and In Touch With Now: An Uncommon Celebration, a book of poetry and meditations. She also formed and led grief-understanding groups for widows.

Patsy was an energetic mother and grandmother. In 1976, she and Virgil moved the family to Grand Prairie and additional lasting friendships ensued. Her vacations became legendary with her jaunty Sand Dollar Sisters. In later life, the fun continued unabated as she entertained at her home on Cedar Creek Lake.

Patsy became a grandmother with the birth of Emily, followed by Nick. “Gimma” loved babysitting and was inspired by the children’s creativity, love of animals and shared joy in adventure.

In 2015, Patsy returned to her Dallas roots and became a resident at C.C. Young. She loved her new friendships and dedicated her energy to service and volunteering. Deep and abiding connections sustained her there, even through the pandemic.

Though Patsy wrote about the struggle to find a path through grief, aging and death, she managed to live long and prosper. Despite suffering ophthalmologic issues, she never lost her sight. She arranged for homes for her beloved dogs should she pass before them, but she outlived them all. She also avoided catching Covid, and died peacefully in the care of hospice after a fever and ensuing cardiac issues.

Patsy was preceded in death by her parents, Suzanne and Eugene Patrick, her husband, Virgil Lee Brundige, her older son Michael Lee Brundige and her first daughter-in-law, Margaret Ellen Brundige.

She is survived by Mike’s widow, Sonia Villanueava Brundige, her younger son, Marc Wesley Brundige, daughter-in-law, Callie Emery Brundige, grandchildren Margaret Emily Brundige, Nicholas Michael Brundige, his beloved Ashley Ann Cheatham and her step-grandchildren, Alexander Solmsen Emery and Julia Gibson Goodrich Emery.

A memorial service celebrating Patsy’s life will be held on Saturday, August 7th, at 1:30pm at Preston Hollow United Methodist Church in Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Patsy’s honor to:

https://fundraise.heifer.org/Patsy

or mail a check to

Heifer International

Attn: Donor Services

Patsy Brundige Memorial

1 World Ave

Little Rock, AR 72202

“Always remember how much I love all of you.”