Patsy Ruth Visage

Patsy Ruth Visage passed on to Glory on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2011. Her fiery red hair and passion for life were her father’s legacy, an Irish prankster with a crazy sense of humor. From her mother, she learned a fierce independence and self-reliance.

Born into a depression crippling the country, more than once as a little girl she danced on the street corner for spare change

and the chance for the family to eat. Then, on an adventure to California after high school, she met a handsome Marine on a blind date.

Three months later, Patsy Ruth McCasland and Billy Visage were married.

Three days after that, she waved good-bye to an air transport bound for Korea. And the rest was history – the story of a couple serving their country, making a home, raising a family, living life together for over 50 years.

“Pat” raised five children, not to mention her “adopted” kids who always seemed to come back around for another dose of her no-nonsense attitude tempered with love (and good food). Her talent in the kitchen, creative gifts at the sewing machine and interior design, organizational skills, leadership and skill with a hand-tool all mixed to become a woman who touched many lives. “Reduce, re-use, repurpose” was her credo long before such things were cool. She was a good friend, a great mother, the best part of a U.S. Marine and a wicked card-player. And, she could wield a screwdriver and roll of duct tape with the best of them.

The best thing about being her kid was knowing that she believed in each one of us more than we believed in ourselves. She didn’t just see potential in her children – she saw a foregone conclusion. And by the way, if you married one of her kids, you became one of her kids.

Pat loved her family, her friends, her Church and the God she worshiped there. And babies. And cherry pie. And the smell of polished wood furniture. And dancing. And yellow roses. And the next duty station.

Pat has now joined husband, Bill, at their final duty station, he having gone ahead as he so often did. We’re sure she’s whipping things into shape as you read this (and so pleased to find no cords or cables in Heaven).

Having been pre-deceased by husband, Bill, sister, Kathleen Hendricks, and parents, Stella and Olan McCasland, Pat is survived by her children: Vanese Blackmar and husband, Jim, Jeff Visage and wife, Tammy, Steven Visage and wife, Kristi, Miki Goodger and husband, Brent, and Lin Visage; her grandchildren: Shayna Blackmar Persky and husband, Neal, Jordan Visage, Benjamin Visage, Bethany Visage, Michael Visage, Bryan Goodger and Kristal Smallacombe; six great-grandchildren; and all of those who call her “Mom” or “Gram,” especially Pat Swalm, John Schaller, Dawn Hobbs, Genia Belzung, Jeff Canning; and Jean, Emma and TJ.

Celebration of the life of Patsy Ruth Visage will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, in Lockhart on Friday, Sept. 30, 2011.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to honor Patsy’s life and legacy to the American Diabetes Association, or the American Heart Association.

Arrangements under the direction of McCurdy Funeral Home, Lockhart, Texas.