Patricia Ann Dwyer, 70, of Parsons died at her home Monday, Dec. 28, 2009.

She was born Oct. 20, 1939, in Garnett to Dwight and Lucille A. (Heckart) Livingston. A longtime Parsonian, she was a 1958 graduate of Parsons High School.

In 1959, she married Larry R. Dwyer at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Parsons. They divorced in 1975. She married Richard Sullivan in 1979, and they later divorced.

She was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed taking care of her family and was thankful for those years. She loved to camp, fish and spend time at the lake. She especially enjoyed spending time with her beloved family, friends and pets.

She worked at Dick’s Printing, Parsons State Hospital and Training Center, Kansas Army Ammunition Plant, CLASS Ltd. and Southeast Kansas Independent Living as a caregiver where she found her true niche. She received great pleasure in working with people and learned so much about life through her extensive experiences.

In 2002 and 2003, she attended an evening art class at Labette Community College, a goal she wanted to achieve most of her life. In May 2003, she had a showing of her artwork at AH! in Parsons and sold her first print.

Survivors include five daughters, Kim Throckmorton, Jackie Dwyer, both of Overland Park, Mendy Standridge and her husband, Stuart, Stevie Dwyer, all of Parsons, and Julie Wimp and her husband, Joe, of Oswego; two sons, Darren Dwyer and his wife, Wendy, and Derek Dwyer and his wife, Stephanie, all of Parsons; 15 grandchildren, Jared, Billy, Wesley, Sydni, Shaun, Sami, Debbie, Scotty, Seth, Matt, Travis, Haley, Taylor, Sloan and Drew; four great-grandchildren, Caeden, Colton, Kaya and Joel; a nephew, Chris Harrell and his wife, Peggy; two nieces, Shelli Smith and her husband, Chris, and Robyn Wilson and her husband, Troy; three great-nephews, Jordan, Greg and Matt; and two great-nieces, Melody and Lena Renae.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Debbie, at the age of 4 in 1965; a sister, Leslie Harrell; and a son-in-law, Mark Throckmorton, although she thought of him as a son.

The funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be recited at 5:30 p.m. today at Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home with family visitation immediately following.

Memorials are suggested to the Parsons Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, 67357.