Patricia Mae Ferreri

DURANT, Okla - Patricia Mae Ferreri, age 75, of Durant, Oklahoma, died Monday, October 13, 2014. She was born on October 2, 1939, in Richmond, to Kenneth C. and Freda M. Plyley Ary. Pat was raised in Richmond and graduated from Richmond High School in 1957. She married shortly after graduation and soon began welcoming her children into the world. Pat attended Reid Memorial Hospital School of Nursing for two years. She worked as an operating room technician in the surgery department at Reid Hospital. While there, she became among the first in the nation to pass the certification testing for operating room technicians and received her CORT in the mid 1960's. Pat spent her early adult years working at Reid Hospital and raising her five children. Her drive and ambition and her never-give-up attitude led her to return to school and obtain her RN degree from Indiana University School of Nursing in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1977. She was quickly promoted to the Assistant Nursing Director on night shift at Reid Hospital where she worked until she 'ran away from home', as her children say, in 1983. Pat then set off on the next chapter in her life working as a director of surgery in various hospitals and sharing her love of nursing. This adventure took her to hospital operating rooms in Plano, McKinney, and Lubbock, Texas, before ending up at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma in Durant, Oklahoma, on August 6, 1996. Over the years Pat received many accommodations for her skills not only as a nurse, but for her kind and compassionate spirit. Some of those of which she was most proud include, Ambassador of the Month at Reid Hospital in Richmond; Outstanding Director of the Quarter at Richardson Medical Center in Richardson, Texas; Excellence in Surgery Director of the Year at South Park Hospital in Lubbock, Texas; and Outstanding Director of the Quarter and Outstanding Director of Surgery for the Year for the HMA Corporation while at the Medical Center of Southeastern Oklahoma, in Durant Oklahoma. Pat was a member of the Association of Operating Room Nurses and the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Kirk-Little Post #1108 in Richmond. She enjoyed reading, gardening in her yard, Bingo, traveling, and most of all, time with her family. Pat was a kind and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister. Though the path was not always easy, she allowed her children to make their own mistakes and find their own way in life. She always made sure that even though the distance often made visits difficult, she was never more than a phone call away. Surprise trips back and forth with family were made special because of the love and the hugs after the long drives to Indiana, Ohio, Colorado, Texas, and Illinois. She never gave up on any of her children and always offered words of encouragement. In the end she wanted her family to know they were loved and she did the best she could do. Survivors include her sons, Rob (Pam) Brawley, Rick (Melissa) Brawley, and Alan Gibson; daughters, Cheryl Brown and Cindy Wilson; grandchildren, Stephanie, Leighann, Ben, Monica, Rick, Justin, Jared, Megan, David, Christopher, and Sara; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Kenneth C. Ary Jr. She was preceded in death by her parents, five grandchildren, and her unexpected four legged friend and constant companion these last few years, Dusty. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 15, 2014, at Brown's Funeral Service Chapel in Durant, Oklahoma. Funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2014 at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond, with a visitation prior to the funeral service to be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Earlham Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Pat had requested that monetary donations be made to Great Physicians Medical Clinic and Pharmacy, 1925 West Main Street, Durant, Oklahoma 74701 or MCSO Nursing Scholarship Program via the MCSO Volunteer Program, 1800 University Blvd., Durant, Oklahoma 74701. Please reference Patricia Ferreri in correspondence. Arrangements are being handled by Brown's Funeral Service in Durant, Oklahoma and Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road West, Richmond Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com and www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

Patricia Mae Ferreri

October 2, 1939 - October 13, 2014