Patricia A. Hess
November 21, 1935 ~ August 7, 2009
Pat Hess, who retired from her position as director of purchasing at Trinity University in December 2000, died August 7 in hospice care at the Regent Care Center in San Antonio.
Pat Hess began her career in Trinity on June 14, 1976 as executive secretary in the Continuing Education Office. She advanced to the position of administrative assistant then moved to the office of Trinity president Bruce Thomas in 1978. In 1979, she moved to a contract staff position as assistant to the vice president of fiscal affairs. In 1985 she became assistant director of purchasing prior to assuming the directorship of that office in 1995. While in purchasing, Ms. Hess was instrumental in planning the current campus post office and streamlining the work routine of the then campus print shop.
Every organization needs a few individuals who possess the skills, intelligence, and flexibility to see what needs to be done and to do it. At Trinity, Pat was such a person. In the various roles she held, she proved to be an exemplary employee because of her abilities and her self-confident approach to challenging tasks.
Known for her loyalty, kindness, generosity, sense of humor, wide reading, and attention to detail, Pat Hess also was celebrated for her "calming aura" as well as her hearty laugh, which always illustrated her zest for life, even its absurdities.
Born Patricia Ann Hall in Letcher, Kentucky, Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Coleman Hall and Lucy Belle Morris Hall, her ex-husband, Ronald Harold Hess, step-son, William Harold Hess, and her daughter, Sharon Lynn Hess.
Her survivors include: three step-grandchildren, William E. Terlop III, Lisa Michelle Terlop, Eric Michael Terlop; son-in-law William E. Terlop, Jr., her daughter, Shannon Hess Terlop, and her much beloved granddaughter, Sarah Nicole Terlop, whose attending Trinity University some day was one of Pat's fondest dreams.
Donations in celebration of Pat's life may be made to an organization that supports the quality of life of those feline creatures she dearly loved:
Cat Alliance Trinity % Physical Plant 607 Kings Court San Antonio, TX 78212
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May the love of those around you and the love of God, help you and your family through the days ahead. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Sharing in your sorrow with love and friendship always…..Grace/Muffin
My beloved Mother, words cannot express how much I will miss you. No matter what the circumstances, I was not ready for you to be gone. I thank you for the many gifts you bestowed upon me in my life, and you are in my heart forever.
My deepest sympathies to Pat’s family. She was truly one of the “most unforgettable characters” I have ever worked with at Trinity. A delightful person who made everyone laugh!
The sadness of Pat’s passing cannot be put in words. She was an inspiration to many. My prayers go out to all who are suffering the loss of this great woman. She will always be looking down on us and the lessons she taught many of us will live on through her spirit. She would not have had it any other way. I am lucky to have had such a nice mother in law…
From our school days in Cumberland to the end of her life, Pat was a great friend. So many memories of our growing up, the time spent in Indianapolis, finding each other again, both of us living in Texas, quiet a ways from Kentucky, these will always be with me. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Pat, those of us who had the opportunity to work with you and know you have missed you since you left Trinity. I will always remember the good times we had working together in the Fiscal Affairs Office. I know you are in a better place, but you will be missed by many of us who shared the pleasure of knowing you. cmc
Pat will indeed be missed by all who knew her. I first met her in 1998 when I started caring for her kitties when she traveled, and I was honored to have become her friend. I will miss her wry wit, her generosity of spirit, her vast intelligence. But most of all I will miss her laughter, and it is this I will think of when I think of her.
GOD saw she was getting tired.And a cure was not to be.So HE put HIS arms around her and whispered.”Come with me”With tearful eyes, we watched her suffer, And saw her fade away.Although we loved her deeply we could not make her stay.A golden heart stopped beating:hard working hands put to rest.GOD broke our hearts to prove to us HE only takes the best.
Shannon, Your Mother will be missed by many and her memory will be with us always. We had many days of fun and memories when we were children growning up together. She told me the last time I talked to her she was ready, when the the Lord came to take her. She adored You and Sarah so much. She was so proud of you and your family. Love, Shirley
I met Pat in 1997 when she hired me. She turned out to be a great boss and even better friend. She changed my life. As sad as her passing is she appreciated her life, her friends and loved ones. She will be missed but never forgotten.
Thou I never had the pleasure of meeting Pat, I shared meny A good laugh with her during phone conversations, and thats how she’ll be remembered by me, a raspy heart felt laugh !!! My deepest sympathey to the Terlop familey
I will always remember Pat. For she gave us Shannon, who so perfectly completes our family. Each birthday, holiday, or special occasion was always made more special by Pat, sending her love and care in specially handpicked cards. While I was young when I met her, my memory of her remains the same. A kind hearted loving woman, who we will miss.
Pat was my nana, and I loved her so so so so much…(though for some reason I was always too shy to say so) She was such an amazing person, and such an inspiration to me. She never took anyone’s crap; which I’m slowly learning to do, with her in my heart and mind. She really was a beautiful person, inside and out, and she will always be remembered with fond memories. I love and miss you Nana <3
Whenever Patsy and I saw each other, after a long absence, our greeting was “As I was saying”. We never ran out of things to talk about and joke about. I will really miss her sense of humor and and her hearty laugh among many things. Deloris
I wish I could have met Pat in-person but I have the memory of a few pleasant phone conversations. A super lady and I`m glad to have gotten to know her! God bless!
My sincere sympathy to Pat’s family on their loss. Pat was my neighbor and friend during our Jr. High and High School years and I have fond memories of our girlhood fun and adventures. It was good to see her again at the CHS reunion in 1991.
Pat was a wonderful kind hearted person. I think she always looked forward to us coming, we kept her company once a week. I will always remember pat as a giving person she was like family to me and my mother. I will miss her dearly. You always forget how precious life is, but when someone close to you passes it reminds you not to take life and the people you love forgranted. She always talked to us about sara and shannon, she loved you both very much! She was always bragging about you, sara. :) My condolences go to you both and to your family. Melissa Rendon