Patricia Catherine McDonough
September 29, 1954—August 24, 2013

Patricia Catherine McDonough (Trisha), impassioned mom, authentically thankful and giving, ardently protective and proud of family, died on Saturday, August 24 2013 after losing a fierce, courageous battle to cancer.

Trisha was born at Hill Air Force Base, Ogden Utah growing up in the exciting times, travel and experiences of a career military family. A graduate of Belton High School, Trisha followed her father's example serving her country in the United States Air Force. Following a tour of duty in Germany Trisha transitioned to the Air Force Reserve Command as a Supervisor in Life Support. Most recently she worked managing the business office for her brother Tim's tile and marble companies.
Trisha was the first of eight siblings to join her mom, Ginger and dad, Mac who had preceded her in death. Her brothers, who she affectionately called by their childhood names: Joey, Chucky, Mickey, Danny and Timmy mourn but celebrate her life alongside her younger sisters Sheri King and Sheila Kost. For those who knew and loved her it is easy to envision her now happily standing side-by-side with her mom watching over us all, the two alike in spirit and spunk. Family, family, family. She loved her family above all else and every thought was aimed at assuring warmth, comfort and happiness for her children—daughter Jessica and son Jason with his wife Shannon. Trisha was anxiously anticipating the upcoming wedding of daughter Jessica to Tim White upon his return from military service in Afghanistan. When her only grandchild, little Joey, was born Trisha morphed to Mams and her vigor for life magnified. Everyday she focused every effort to make sure her family was happy and safe. If it required robbing Peter to pay Paul she juggled the pennies and nickels just like her Mom had taught her to take care of her family. She was comfortable being in charge. She was even-handed in dealing smothering affection or a fiery onslaught which ever she thought appropriate. Love or wrath, her children, siblings, friends and strangers found she was never hesitant or shy to take on affront or to embrace a heart.

In Trisha's final struggles she brought all her courage, enthusiasm, hope and good spirit to the process still wanting to keep family first. She also had an intense anger directed at the stalking beast, Cancer. She spoke regrettably and with self-disappointment that she invited the disease into her life through many years of tobacco use. She asked that her family share the message, "if there is anyone you love and care for, please help and support them to stop smoking. Help them to see that there are more breaths to take, time to spend with family and the preciousness of life that's worth more than the meaningless pleasures of tobacco. Nothing is worth more than those minutes, hours, days and years that could be spent with all those that you love. That I love."

Memorial Services for Trisha will be Thursday August 29th, St. Sabina Catholic Church Belton, Mo. Visitation 9 am, Funeral Mass -10:00 am, Celebration Luncheon-11:00 a.m., Graveside Service 2:30 pm at the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Irish Wake-6:00 pm 1001 Sherman Parkway, Belton Mo.

Arrangements: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO (816)322-5278