Pat succumbed to renal failure at the age of 90 years and nine months, in her sleep on the morning of June 27, 2020 to join her late husband Donald Meredith Wardell, Jr. and son James Gerald Wardell in the field of dreams. She was born in Bowling Green, Indiana on September 27, 1929 to Helen Josephine (Drake) and Claude William Cooksey, who predeceased her along with her seven siblings (Paul Frederick, Maida Evelyn, Phoebe Jane, Nellie Lucretia, Viola Belle America, Norma Dean, and Claude William), four of their children (Larry, Claudia, Johnny Bill, and Cindy), and one great-nephew (Michael).
She is survived by her daughter Dr. Tamara Lynn Wardell, PhD, MSN, RN, her son Dr. Donald M. Wardell, III, MD, his children, Stephen, Allison, and Jennifer (Clay Goad) and their mother Elizabeth Wardell. She is also survived by a host of McGlone’s, beyond friends who the family call relatives, Jerry, his children Patty (Denny Schultz), Jim (Theresa), Dan (Kelly), Edward (Lisa), and their children and mother Joann, his daughter Barbara (Martin); Jim (Carolyn) and their kids spread far and wide; Greg and mother Martha, Dennis (Trish), and cousins galore who have been with us through thick and thin, many old friends, and a host of nieces, nephews, and more spread across the country.
Pat lived a full life raising two children who each succeeded in their chosen fields, while teaching math, Latin, and Spanish in junior high and high school. She taught for a short time in Clay City when she graduated from Indiana State and took additional coursework at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. She was active in civic activities and organizations, helped with scouting, played bridge, sewed, crocheted, and knitted. She and Don were active golfers and entertained big crowds in their home in Pittsburgh. She relocated back to Terre Haute after his death.
She then spent many years traveling all over the world seeing the many sights it had to offer. She once stated that she felt safest on the Great Wall of China, because as she walked up alone to see the top, she had her own personal security agent. She brought back pictures of her travels and reveled in looking at them over and over and reliving her experiences. She still had travel buddies, Janet and Nadine, in Bowling Green, with whom she kept in touch, and her oldest friend from there, Marcella, will be waiting for her at the Pearly Gates to resume their 80+ year friendship!
After returning to Terre Haute she spent much time with her grandchildren as they were growing up, who spent a week alone with her each summer. She spoke often of those special times. And she went back to the golfing that she loved and in the later years took up with three golfing buddies, Verla, Myra, and Sandy for golf and weekly lunches to pass the time and keep up her game. She golfed consistently until she was 88 and played bridge until she was 89. Her daughter Tam moved in when she was 80 to take care of the beautiful yard. Pat was so proud of all her flowers and shrubs and delighted when after three years of trying a hollyhock bloomed last week, which she saw from the dining room window. A few weeks earlier Tam and friend Stacey pushed her around the whole property to see every flower bed and she so enjoyed being out in her yard. Pat lived a full life and died as she desired. “I just want to go to sleep and not wake up,” and peacefully she did. She will be missed by the teachers at Chartiers Valley School system in Pittsburgh, all the clubs and organizations to which she belonged, the bridge and golf groups, and especially by her friends and family. May she rest in peace in God’s eternal garden.
Due to the dangers posed by the COVID-19 virus, the family has decided against visitation. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Pat wished to be cremated and later will be laid to rest with Don’s remains to join their son James in the Knights of Pythias Cemetery in Hymera. Cards may be sent to the home.
Online condolences may be left at www.samaritanfunerals.com
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