Patricia Allen McMillan

Patricia Allen McMillan, 92, died at her home in Austin, TX on March 12, 2018. She was born on February 1, 1926, in Plainview, TX to Walter Payne Allen, Jr. and Martha Wilder Allen. She was a proud 5th generation Texan with deep roots in the East Texas town of Terrell. She graduated from Terrell High School and attended Randolph Macon Women's College, where she joined the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor's degree in English Literature in 1947. Patricia married DeHart Earl McMillan, Jr. in 1947 and began raising their family of 4 children in Kilgore, TX. They moved to Austin, TX in 1961. A lifelong Episcopalian, she joined The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in 1961and has been an active member until the time of her death.

After raising her 4 children, Patricia's life continued to be vibrant and lived to the fullest. She dedicated herself to the art of grandparenting. She had a passion for storytelling that is legendary and a flair for architecture, participating in the design and construction of two remarkable homes. She embarked upon a business enterprise buying and selling early Texas antiques. She published a narrative of childhood memories, Growing Up in Terrell, and designed and needlepointed over 100 Christmas stockings for family and friends.

Among her true callings was work with others in 12-Step programs for 37 years. Though never in a classroom or clinical setting, Patricia was a teacher, listener, therapist of sorts at heart. Whether family, friends, or fellow travelers in recovery, she shared herself freely with a broad spectrum of people spanning multiple generations, impacting the lives of many. Some credited her with saving their lives, certainly saving the quality of their lives. She was gifted with a keen intelligence, quick wit and sense of humor. Words of wisdom came to her like poems to a poet. Independent to her core, there was a finesse to her frankness that earned people's respect and drew them into her confidences. Patricia welcomed you in your entirety, warts and all.

Patricia is survived by her 4 children, Kathryn McMillan Young (Sally), DeHart Allen McMillan, Jr. (Mary), Walter Allen McMillan, and Brian Downing McMillan (Donna); her 8 grandchildren, Daniel Allen Young (Cristina), Timothy Lewis Young, Timothy Chase Maxwell, Aja Claire McMillan (Dave), Hannah Grace McMillan, Samuel Lee McMillan, Maxwell Hart McMillan, and Matthew Holden McMillan; and her 2 great grandchildren, Paul Timothy Young and Isabel Arlease Young. She is also survived by an extended family of East Texas cousins and relatives too numerous to name here. Patricia's family would like to express our deepest gratitude to her Hospice Austin care team, especially Paula Pratte, RN and to her Nurses Case Management caregivers, especially Ethanie Jones for her extraordinary care and faithful support.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road, Austin, TX 78703 at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. A reception will follow Patricia's Memorial Service at Fonda San Miguel, 2330 W. North Loop, Austin, TX 78756 from 3-5 PM. Patricia's ashes will be placed in the columbarium of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd at a later date with family in attendance.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, PO Box 5176, Austin, TX 78703, to Hospice Austin, 4107 Spicewood Springs Rd., Austin, TX 78759 or to the charity of your choice.