Patsy Rose Felan Avila

We come together today in the memory of our beloved mom Patsy Rose Avila, to acknowledge and share both our joy in the gift that her life brought us, and the pain of her passing. As we share the joy of her life together may it lesson the pain, so the joy is remembered more clearly.

Patsy was only 75 when she passed away on Monday, February 5th 2018 in San Antonio, Tx. It’s hard to say goodbye. We wish that we had more time, and perhaps that during the time we had we had spent more of it together. We wish that so much of her life had not been lost to her illness, that things could have been different for her, and for us. While we know that she is at peace and that her struggles are at an end, there is pain and sadness. But even though she is gone, she has left the legacy of her love and perseverance. The ways she touched our lives will remain, and I ask you to keep those memories alive by sharing them with us and with one another.

One of the most important things in Mom’s life was family and she took great pride . This family, and her role as mother and grandmother, was the most important thing to Mom. This is where she drew her strength and left her legacy. Being with her family was what Patsy enjoyed most of all. Her life had many obstacles, and she struggled for a year with a devastating illness. Yet through it all, her love and caring for her family remained her focus, and in so many, many ways, she was able to show that love to us. This perseverance through adversity is a powerful lesson for us, and I believe it is her legacy. What a wonderful lesson she gave us. Keep your priorities straight. Keep that which is most important in focus. Love and care for your family. Let them know in all the ways you can show them that you love them. Don’t let adversities or setbacks or any of the distractions of the world keep you from this most important aspect of life.

How many people in this world have it so much easier than our mom did. How many never had to face half the trouble she faced, and yet lose sight so easily of what is truly important. Many of us get distracted by insignificant things in life, many of us brood and focus on our little problems, and forget that which is most important.

But through everything Mom went through, she managed to keep her priorities straight. What can be more important than loving and showing your love for your family? How can some of us who are blessed with so much forget to be thankful to God, while somehow Mom kept her faith through all of her trials.

This is a wonderful legacy. This is a wonderful example to follow. Keep focused on what is truly important, not only when your life is easy, but when it is difficult too.

Knowing how much her family meant to her, I think it was such a special blessing that just before she passed away, Mom was able to spend a wonderful and unusually long time with us The plants she nurtured and the love she showed to all of us will live on and be with us even now that she has gone to be with God.

Mom is survived by her husband of 50 years Armando Avila, sons Alex and Mark Avila, daughters Genevieve Avila, Mandy Jones, stepson Neto Avila, her 7 grandchildren, 3 great children, brothers Patrick and Charlie Felan, sister in laws Joyce, Mary Helen, Connie Felan and lots of nieces and nephews. Patsy was preceded in death by parents Patrick Nora Felan and brother John Felan.