Patricia (Pat) (Riley) Miller Bunch, beloved wife, mother and great-grandmother (Tia) passed away peacefully in the family home on January 25 at the age of 94. Born November 25, 1928 in Dallas, Texas; Mary Patricia Riley, the only child of the late Cathryn (Evans) and Joseph Harold Riley. She was Salutatorian for the class of 1945 at historic Crozier Technical High School, and 1950 graduate of SMU with a degree in Sociology which led to a 30 year career as a social worker for the Texas Department of Welfare. Member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She married the late William William Thiele Miller in 1952, divorced in 1972. She married William B. Bunch in 1981.
She is survived by husband of 42 years, William B. Bunch, daughters Kathryn S. Walker and Claire M. (David) Belling and sons Gregory T. (Elena) Miller, son Vincent R. (Donna) Miller and Grandchildren: Donald Hatcher, David (Amy) Miller, Kristi Miller, Daniel (Helen) Miller, Valerie (Jon) Harris. Great Grandchildren Estelle Miller, Sean Miller, Aria Hatcher, Abigail Harris, and Maxwell Harris.
Pat was always involved in many community activities. She enjoyed outdoor activities including boating, hiking, and camping. Waterskiing to the age of 75 and scuba diving at 80, and jet skiing this past summer. Pat was very active into her 90s always enjoyed a good party. She enjoyed going for late evening walks, feeding ducks, and watching the sunset across White Rock lake. She loved to host family gatherings at the long-time family home in the thriving M-Streets area of Northeast Dallas. Most recently hosting a very merry Christmas 2022 gathering attended by grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an avid astrologer and enjoyed charting family and friends.
Her adventures included a backpacking railroad trip through Europe, rafting through the Grand Canyon and camping in Yosemite. She preferred driving to flying and enjoyed taking long road trips to Galveston, Lake Ouachita, and family visits to Albany, GA, Terre Haute, IN, Greenville, SC and weddings at Niagara Falls and Raleigh, NC.
Pat was a dog lover, especially the Great Danes breed, sharing life with seven over the years: Thor, Moose, Sage, Mocha, Quinn and Brady, Dylan. Quinn and Brady were certified as therapy dogs utilized at the Baylor Rehab Center. Her latest rescue adoption, Disco, a large mixed breed rescue which she fostered until she and daughter Claire could find a suitable home. Pat also enjoyed her own backyard wildlife refuge featuring bird feeders, Timmy the Squirrel, at least one shy bunny, and a neighbor’s cat.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to one of Pat’s favorite charities: Ardmore Animal Shelter, Lone Start Dog Ranch, Great Dane rescue, or Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
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