Patsye Gilliard

Gilliard, Patsye (Pat) McFall, of Beavercreek, passed away on Friday, May 25, 2012. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 18, 1938 and was the daughter of the late Lester McFall and Mildred McWhorter McFall Curtis of Detroit, Michigan. Patsye received her Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Reading from Western Illinois University. Patsye loved children's literature and retired from Xenia Public Schools as a Title I Reading Specialist after spending more than 30 years as an educator. Patsye was a devoted wife to her husband of 51 years, Dr. Walter Gilliard. Together they raised two daughters. Patsye and Walter truly enjoyed living in Beavercreek and shared a passion for gardening. Patsye was a faithful member of St. Luke's Catholic Church and a devoted member of the choir. Diagnosed with Type I diabetes at the age of 14, Patsye demonstrated inspiring discipline, determination and perseverance in battling all of the effects of her debilitating illness for almost 60 years. Patsye was proud of the national recognition she received from the Joslin Diabetes Center for the "remarkable achievement of living with insulin-dependent diabetes for 50 years or more." Patsye was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the Leisurettes and her professional sorority, Delta Kappa Gamma.

Patsye is survived by her husband, Dr. Walter of Beavercreek, her daughter and son-in-law, Renee and Eric B. Griffin, Sr. of Greensboro, North Carolina, her daughter and son-in-law Michelle and Robert M. Sheehan, Jr. of Silver Spring, Maryland, two grandchildren: Chloe and Eric Jr. and a brother, Benjamin McFall. Her aunts Patsy McWhorter Bristol and Geneva McWhorter, cousins, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends brought tremendous love and joy to her life. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Luke's Catholic Church, 1440 N. Fairfield Road, Beavercreek, OH 45432, with family receiving friends one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.