Patricia Morton

PATRICIA "PATSY" MORTON

Cedar Rapids

Patricia Ann "Patsy" Carney Morton of Fort Worth, Texas, died peacefully surrounded by her children and friends on Tuesday morning, Sept. 16, 2014. Mrs. Morton was 83 years old.

Born Feb. 1, 1931, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Patsy was the daughter of Ann and Harry Carney. The fourth of four siblings, including her twin brother, Paul Carney, of Coggon, who survives her, she grew up in Cedar Rapids, and attended Roosevelt High School, where she began many lifelong friendships. Patsy was a cheerleader at Roosevelt and continued in that spirit throughout her life.

She began her working life as a cytology technician, reading Pap smears when the process was new. The American Cancer Society sent her to Cornell University to be trained by Dr. George Papanicolaou, for whom the process is named.

In 1954, Patsy became a stewardess for United Airlines, widening her horizons and spending four years flying domestic flights. She met her husband, Charles Bruce Morton III, in San Francisco, and they were married in 1958, enjoying 52 years together before Mr. Morton's death in 2011. His work took them from Corpus Christi to San Diego, Charlottesville to Cold Springs Harbor, Fort Worth to Memphis, and back to Fort Worth for full retirement. In every city, Patsy made friends and created a warm and loving home for her children and friends. She remained in good health and was always ready to try something new.

Patsy was an avid gardener and cook, providing delicious meals and special holiday foods throughout her life. She passed on her tradition of hoska and gingerbread, chocolate sauce and many other recipes, which her children cook to this day.

She will be sorely missed by all her friends and relatives who will miss her zany sense of humor and caring concern through all of life's tribulations. Patsy lived life to the fullest, was loved and loved others in full measure.

She spent many hours volunteering in her community and for various causes. Some of her favorites were the League of Women Voters, Friends of the Fort Worth and Memphis libraries and Lily B. Clayton School, where her children began their schooling in 1970.

She was past president of Friends of the Library in Fort Worth. The Friends of the Library in Memphis was very dear to her and she met many wonderful people through both organizations.

Patsy will live on in our memories and we know she will visit us in spirit through birds, plants and the natural world. We will know her presence by a breeze, a light-hearted song or a touching poem. Her spiritual beliefs were strong and original and it is certain that she rests in peace in the next realm.

In addition to her four daughters, Anne, Patricia, Caroline and Julia, Patsy is survived by four sons-in-law, Paul, Robert, John and Noel; 10 grandchildren, Charles, Patrick, Robert, Jane, Harrison, William, Benjamin, Jasmine, Dominic and Jacqueline. There are many more "adopted" daughters and sons as she was a mom to many neighborhood children as her own grew up in Fort Worth, whose friendships have endured.

In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Fort Worth League of Women Voters, public radio or TV, or any library in her memory is suggested.

Robertson

Mueller Harper

Funerals & Cremations, 1500 Eighth Ave.,

Fort Worth, Texas,

(817) 924-4233

View and sign guest book at www.star-telegram.com/obituaries.