Sister in the Spotlight - February 2013
Pat A. had been raised Catholic. But at a young age,
in her teens, she converted to the gospel and was later Endowed in the Mesa
Arizona Temple. The mother of 6, (two boys and four girls) and grandmother of
16, Pat put herself through nursing school while raising her children as a
single mom. She has since enjoyed a long career in Nursing, specializing in
Cardiology. She also taught professionally for four years with a focus on clinicals
and phlebotomy. Pat has lived in Arizona, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Four years ago she met her Eternal companion, Ken A.
Her sister and one of her friends thought they were definitely a match. But Ken
refused a blind date with Pat but agreed instead to meeting her in a group
setting. Pat was a little insulted, but with urging from her sister, she consented
to meeting him on his terms. Now it’s all history. All she can say is she loves
him with all her heart. And she tells those sisters who have not yet found that
special person that it’s never too late to meet the perfect companion and marry
in the temple for Time and all Eternity.
Ken was never married and had no children nor was he a member of the church
when they met. But Pat gave him a real “baptism by fire” by bringing him out to
Sunday meetings and within a few months, he accepted the gospel and the
following year they were married for time by the Bishop of their Ward. One year
later, they celebrated their love by being sealed in the Columbus Ohio Temple
for Time and All Eternity. And as for being a family man, Pat threw him into a
circle of chaos with her family right from the beginning. And he fit right in
without any problems and felt a part of the gang from that very first meeting.
And as an added bonus for a woman who had a heart full of faith and who was
willing to wait a lifetime to find that special someone, her kids and grandkids
couldn’t love him more. And now it brings a smile to many in their ward family
to see this big, football player looking man, carrying around a baby carrier
and baby in one hand and diaper bag or bottle in the other.
Since marrying, Ken and Pat have had the great pleasure taking
their dream Honeymoon to Ireland and touring the country at their leisure. Now
one of their primary goals in life, when both are fully retired, is to return
to Ireland, Pat’s country of ancestral origin. But their ultimate long term
goal is to serve as a missionary couple one day. And they can only dream that it’s perhaps back
to Ireland!! But in the meantime, their favorite vacations are camping and
visiting historical sites. One of Pat’s goals in life had always been to paint.
And now, partially retired, she has been taking art lessons for over a year.
She loves art, with a real passion for anything Thomas Kincaid, and
additionally loves music, travel, the gospel and most of
all, her family. Being a grandmother has enveloped her life with joy and love.
Sister in the Spotlight – September 2012
DeAnn was born in Arizona and raised in
Oregon and is the middle child with 2 brothers and 2 sisters. She graduated
from High School in OR and from BYU with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Family Science. DeAnn has lived in many areas of the country including Arizona,
Oregon, Utah, Ohio, Indiana, Georgia and Wisconsin. She also traveled and lived
internationally, serving a full-time mission in Belgium and Holland and
traveling to Mexico and Canada.
DeAnn met her future husband in the temple at a family friend’s wedding. He was the groom’s
sixth grade locker partner. DeAnn and Jon have 4 beautiful (and talented)
children. Her jobs include have
included – short order cook, taxi driver, teacher, child care provider, nurse,
meeting and event planner, hair dresser, personal care assistant, accountant,
grounds maintenance worker, and private detective…in other words she’s a wife
and mom! Her hobbies include playing the piano and the saxophone. She loves to
play games with family and friends, reading, and most of all taking naps.
DeAnn’s favorite type of food is anything she doesn’t have to cook. But she is
especially fond of Fettuccine Alfredo.
DeAnn was introduced to the gospel
early in her life since her parents were already members of the church. She has
several places she would like to visit on a dream vacation including Lego Land
with Isaac while he is still young, Hawaii, Europe, where she served her
mission, and maybe even a cruise to anywhere. And finally one thing that makes
DeAnn feel real joy is Isaac’s long eyelashes. DeAnn we’re so happy you are a
part of our ward and we hope that you will be
with us for a good long time!