Patricia (Patti) “MiMi” Gayle McDermott Elmore, aged 76, passed away on January 20, 2025, after a brief illness. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Patti was a lifelong Catholic Christian who cherished her faith.
Patti was born on October 8, 1948, in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Ursuline Academy in 1966, she attended Executive Secretary school and became a legal secretary for Marvin R. Thomas. She met the love of her life, David, in 1968. They married in June 1970 and remained married and best friends for over 54 years. Together they had three children, Lori, David Jr. and Amy.
In 1976, Patti and David moved to Carrollton and founded a courier service, Minute Man Messenger. Together they managed and operated the business for almost twenty years, out of their home, while raising their three young children and countless neighborhood kids who depended on childcare. In 1996, Patti went on to work in the religious education department at All Saints Catholic Church where she was an administrative assistant and found solace in working so intimately in the Catholic community. Patti spent the rest of her career working at Bodycote as a Payroll & Accounts Specialist. It was here that she developed lifelong friendships that meant so much to her. She was finally able to retire in 2018.
Patti was notorious for wearing many hats, with an innate ability to juggle several things at one time. In addition to her full-time career, she also became a Mary Kay consultant in 1993, where she held a red jacket leadership position, was awarded “Miss Go Give” several times, and even earned a free Mary Kay car. She recently celebrated her 32-year anniversary as a consultant. She took great pride in her skincare and loved helping others feel pretty and giving back to women who could not afford the product.
In 2003, Patti became “Mimi” when her first grandchild was born. Mimi was by far her very favorite name. She adored and cherished her nine grandchildren. It was an unconditional love, unlike anything else she had experienced. Her favorite saying, ‘what happens at Mimi’s, stays at Mimi’s’ was understood and appreciated countless times by all nine grandkids. Mimi poured herself into each of them and will forever be an inspiration and guiding light as they carry on her beautiful legacy.
Mimi is fondly described by those who love her dearly as faithful, loving, caring, funny, opinionated, empathetic, passionate, brilliant, sensitive, devoted, patient, gentle, grateful, humble, witty, huggable, giving, religious, Catholic, prayerful, loyal, shopper, deal finder, devoted, competitive, happy, honest, thoughtful, comforting, selfless, insightful, considerate, joyful, kind, warm, trustworthy and fun. Loving characteristics, we can all learn from, cherish and aspire to emulate.
She was a dear and trusted friend to many, always gave 110% and took great pride in everything she did, whether it was setting the perfect Christmas table for our family dinner, giving the perfect gift, decorating the office with beanie babies for different holidays or shopping and finding a particular item on eBay. She loved a shopping challenge and took great pride in finding a good deal. She was always available with the right words to say. She would listen, offer advice or just give a hug when needed. We will miss her Donald Duck birthday calls, her laugh, her apple cake, her smell, her friendship, her passion and her big hugs.
Patti is preceded in death by both her parents, Joseph Patrick McDermott and Lula Frances Gordin McDermott, brother Joseph Gordin McDermott, sister Diane Goolsby and husband Waid and sister-in-law Jody McDermott. She is survived by her beloved husband, David; children Lori Risenhoover and husband Chris, David Elmore Jr. and wife Rebecca and Amy Blasingame and husband Jim; grandchildren, Nicholas and Avery Risenhoover; Ryan, Alexa and Emily Elmore; Luke, Adam, Brooke and Jack Blasingame; brother, Robert McDermott; sister, Elaine Morrill and numerous nieces and nephews. Patti also leaves many other family members and friends whom she loved and who will remember her fondly.
The family would like to send a heartfelt thank you to the many friends who have offered prayers of love and support throughout her illness. We are grateful for the caring ICU staff at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center Plano. We also extend our eternal gratitude to the caregivers at Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their dignified and compassionate love and care during her final days in hospice. Patti will be deeply missed, but her family takes great comfort knowing that she is now in the arms of her Heavenly Father for eternity and that we will one day be joyfully reunited with her.
A rosary will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2025, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, with a Funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Bruce Bradley officiating. If you wish to join the service via webcast, please visit: https://youtube.com/live/GmAqFRB9i5w?feature=share
There will be a reception to follow the service.
Patti will be laid to rest in a private service at the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Columbarium.
In remembrance of Patti’s life, the family asks that in lieu of flowers, you consider making a donation to Faith Presbyterian Hospice/Forefront Living Foundation, 12467 Merit Drive, Dallas, Texas 75251, Faith Presbyterian Hospice giving https://www.forefrontliving.org/giving-opportunities/donate-now/
Linda Jean Hoge passed away on Monday, November 18, 2024. Even though she will be missed her memories live on in the hearts and minds of those who knew her. Those who knew Linda knew that she loved to laugh. She loved her dog Jen and was very active around her home in Dallas. She fond of keeping the yard beautiful and maintaining the pool. Her sister Ann describes Linda as being "very independent" and one who loved to travel. Linda loved the Christmas season, the decorations, painting figurines associated with the holiday, and angels. Linda loved to travel and one her favorites places to visit was Italy. She loved Italy, her Italian relatives, and Italian food. Her angelic smile and presence will be missed. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway Plano, Texas 75023 The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed at the following link: https://youtube.com/live/8eTrHLulnbY?feature=share
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you would consider donating to one of the following organizations: The Deaf Action Center; Operation Kindness (North Texas Lifesaving Animal Shelter); or the Plano Animal Shelter. Links to the organizations will be provided below.
James “Jim” Brunackey, age 88, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on January 5, 2025 in Plano, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen (Rokos) Brunackey, and his sister Barbara Brunackey.
Jim is survived by his daughter, Renee (Brunackey) Discher, and son-in-law, Steve; granddaughters, Kayla Discher and Kristina (Discher) Kern, and her husband, Seth; his brother, John “Jack” Brunackey, and his wife, Midori (Sekine) Brunackey; as well as his daughter, Andrea Brunackey.
Jim valued education, graduating from Holy Redeemer High School in Detroit and earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Detroit. He was an avid reader, a lifelong follower of local news and the Wall Street Journal and was always engaged in current events.
In 1968, he moved his family to Traverse City, a decision he called the best he ever made. A true entrepreneur, Jim owned and operated several businesses including J&M Sports and Holiday Hills in Traverse City and later founded Environmental Protection Products in Williamsburg. He enjoyed playing golf, boating, snowmobiling, and a friendly game of tennis or pickleball with family and friends. He loved playing euchre and socializing with his “REEBEROM” friends, hosting many memorable parties at his home. Jim was a devoted fan of Michigan sports, passionately following both the Detroit Lions and the University of Michigan football team.
Jim loved to travel the world, embarking on solo adventures to destinations such as the Beijing Olympics, Costa Rica, Buenos Aires, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. Above all, he cherished making memories with his granddaughters, visiting them wherever they were—from Michigan to Minnesota, Singapore to Sydney, or Thailand to Texas. He was always eager to spend time and share new experiences with his family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 13, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Plano, Texas.
Patsy “Pat” Takats, 83, of Frisco, Texas passed away quietly on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Pat was born on August 21, 1941 to Curtis and Laura McKenzie, in Austin, Texas; the second of three children.
Pat married Cyrill Joe “Tuffy” Takats on March 1, 1957. They spent many years in Dallas, where they raised a family of six children while Pat pursued a long career with Texas Instruments. She spent her later years living in Frisco and Plano, always looking after her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her children, Bruce Takats of Carrollton, Cyrill Takats, Jr. of Dallas, Sandra Schneider and husband John of Plano, Tony Takats and wife Diane of Highland Village, Laura Goddin, of Frisco, and son-in-law Ricky Shinn of Dallas. She is also survived by many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both parents, her loving husband of 53 years, Cyrill Takats, her sisters Margurite Baugus and Edna Donica, her daughter Patsy Shinn, and granddaughter Joanna Shinn.
Funeral services will be held at 11:30 am, Saturday, January 11, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 2700 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Texas 75023 in the Chapel.