Mary Patricia Ackley

Our beloved Mary Patricia Ackley, 82, known by friends as Patsy or Pat, was called home March 5, 2023, after a short and unexpected illness. 

Her friends describe her as loyal, self-assured, and precise. She was beautiful and opinionated, polite yet firm, classy, and fashionable. Her impeccable memory and adventurous  life made her a great storyteller and a resource for her family to know and understand both family lineage and US history. Her loyalty is displayed across the country, as she has maintained so many meaningful friendships from her youth. 

Pat attended West Phoenix High, then graduated from Immaculate Heart in Los Angeles, CA in 1959. She obtained a bachelor’s in business administration from University of Arizona in 1963, during this time she joined Kappa-Kappa-Gamma which played a large role through the rest of her life. In 1967, she earned a Master of Arts in Education from Arizona State University. In 1983, she earned her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern School of Law and passed both the California & Arizona bar exams. 

After law school, she taught college courses at junior colleges in Los Angeles and later at Phoenix College. She chose this work to accommodate her desire to travel and allowed her to pursue her treasured friendships. Pat was active and healthy until the last days of her life, filling her time with gardening, caring for neighborhood cats, enjoying Sorority Alumni events and investing in her lifelong friendships. 

She is survived by her nephew, Douglas Chancy Ackley, his wife, Caroline Ackley, children, Celena Bell, Chance Ackley, and Cruse Ackley, niece, Patricia Jennette Bratzler, her husband, Joshua Bratzler, and children Jane Bratzler, Benjamin Bratzer, and Luke Bratzler.

She is preceded in death by her father, Manford Harrison Ackley, mother, Mary Genevieve Ackley Smith, and sister, Deanna Jane Ackley.

Pat will be laid to rest with her mother and sister in Hurricane City Cemetery. Funeral Service held with Spilsbury Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers & in honor of her love of cats, please consider a donation to La Gattara, a cat rescue. La Gattara (www.lagattara.org) is located at 147 E. Garfield St., Phoenix AZ, 85004. 

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 South Bluff Street, Saint George, Utah (435) 673-2454.