Patricia “Pat” Sweeney, 90, of Abilene, Kansas passed away on January 30, 2019 in Abilene. She was born on July 16, 1928 in Abilene, Kansas to Arthur and Bernice Peterson. She was preceded in death by her first husband Dennis Beckham (8/61) and second husband Captain Clarence “Mike” Sweeney (2/68). Pat was a devoted mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
After graduating from Abilene High School in 1946 she attended Mt. St. Scholastica in Atchison, Kansas and graduated with a BA degree in History. She later obtained a MS in Education from Kansas State University. Pat, during her 50 plus year career as an educator, worked for several school districts including Derby, Kansas, Anchorage, Alaska, Columbus, Georgia, Solomon, Kansas and Salina, Kansas. She was a staff member with the Kansas State Department of Education from 1997 to 1999.
Pat served on the board of directors for several professional and community service organizations including the Kansas Special Olympics and the Occupational Center of Central Kansas along with being a commissioner on the Kansas Volunteer Commission.
She was an avid Kansas State University supporter and loved to attend Kansas State football games, where she held season tickets for over fifty (50) years. She was very involved with FFA at Abilene High School and spoke highly of this organization. She enjoyed attending their events and being involved in their activities and knowing their members and sponsor. Pat was a member of the Optimist Club and worked on various projects to help support the community.
Survivors include brother Bill Peterson (Phyllis) Abilene, Kansas and their children Susan,(Charlie) Mark, and Bruce (Barbara), sons Mike “Bear” Beckham (Kim) of Victoria, Texas, Kelly Beckham (Beth) of Kingwood, Texas and Tim Sweeney (Kristin) of Bruce, Mississippi, grandchildren Dr. Kelly Beckham Jr.(Christen) Ben Beckham (Katie) and Sam Beckham (Stephanie), great grandchildren, Leo, Cade, Jack, Hudson, Brooks and Everly.
The rosary will be recited on Thursday, February 7 at 5:30 pm at Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home in Abilene and family will receive friends afterwards. A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, February 8 at 9:00 am at St. Andrews Catholic Church followed by a brunch reception in the Church Hall. Following the reception, graveside services will be held at Ft. Riley Post Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the staff at Garten Countryside Home and the nurses and staff at Hospice of Dickinson County for the excellent care and support given to Pat.
In lieu of flowers, family requests donations to these various organizations Hospice of Dickinson County, St. Andrews Catholic Church, and Kansas Special Olympics Kansas, and may be sent in care of the Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW 3rd, Abilene, Kansas 67410. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.martinbeckercarlson.com.