Patricia Gill

Patricia Ann Lacey Gill

November 23, 1939 – August 10, 2025

Patricia Ann Lacey Gill, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, faithful Catholic and servant of God, passed away on August 10, 2025, at Mother of Good Counsel Home in Northwoods, Missouri, beside her husband of 64 years, Richard. She was 85 years old.

Patricia was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 1939, in Mansfield, Ohio. Her early childhood was marked by an austere period on a spartan farm while her father was away serving in World War II and then many moves around northeast Ohio. By adolescence, she had settled in Columbus where she attended St. Mary of the Springs High School and College (now Ohio Dominican University). She excelled academically, graduating Magna Cum Laude with bachelor’s degrees in History and French with a minor in Library Science. At the age of 18 while a freshman in college, Patty lost her mother—a profound loss that deepened her compassion for others and made her grateful for her own longevity.  

While a college student at St. Mary’s, she met Richard Gill, an engineering student from Ohio State University, at a dance. The two began a lifelong partnership rooted in faith, service, and devotion. They married on June 17, 1961, and were the model of the faithful couple, raising and educating five children together.

In 1970, she and Richard moved their family from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to St. Louis, where they established the home where they would live for 54 years. That same year, her only brother Robert James Lacey and his wife Velja Souders Lacey also established their long-term home in St. Louis. The two families maintained a special closeness throughout their lives.  

Patricia is survived by her devoted husband, Richard; children Douglas (Laurie) Gill, Alan (Debby) Gill, Amelia (Fred) Koch, and Brian (Beth) Gill; 16 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son Karl Abraham Gill, who passed away in 2021, and by two grandchildren. Karl, who was intellectually disabled, was the focus of much of Patty’s life. She worked tirelessly as his advocate, ensuring he received an education and had opportunities for meaningful work and relationships. Her advocacy extended to the broader community, where she was active in promoting and supporting sheltered workshops and community activities and services for the developmentally disabled.

Faith was the cornerstone of Patricia’s life. She and Richard were parishioners of Holy Spirit Parish (formerly St. Blaise) in Maryland Heights, Missouri, for 54 years. Together they served in numerous ministries, including Bible study, the Archdiocesan Renew program, RCIA formation, couple-to-couple marriage preparation, Eucharistic Adoration, and as parish pro-life coordinators for many years. Deeply committed to the sanctity of human life, they prayed and worked steadfastly for an end to abortion and for the dignity of all human life, especially the unborn, handicapped and disabled, from the time of the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973.

Patty’s home was a place of nourishment—both physical and spiritual. She was an exceptional cook, adapting to the food allergies that affected her husband and some of her children, and became an expert in preparing delicious meals under those constraints. Her love of the Catholic liturgical calendar infused the family’s life with meaningful traditions and feast-day celebrations that are carried on by her children and grandchildren today.

She survived breast cancer in her early sixties and continued to live with patience and charity despite a low energy constitution. She loved camping trips while her family grew up, one of the few times they would catch her relaxing with a book. In later years, vacation always meant traveling with Karl to visit their children and grandchildren and Richard’s large and far-flung family.  

She offered an open, interested, and welcoming acceptance to all she met. Her generous spirit and tireless work for the good of her family were constants throughout her life.  

Earlier this year, Patricia and Richard moved to Mother of Good Counsel Home, where she spent her final months. After suffering a stroke in July, she received her last sacraments on August 7 and 9 (viaticum), a fitting conclusion of her lifelong devotion to Christ in the Catholic faith, and entered eternal life early on August 10. Her daily prayer life, which included Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, and the Liturgy of the Hours, was a source of grace not only for her but for all who knew her and the larger communities of which she was a part.

Patty’s life was defined by faith, service, family, and love. She will be deeply missed and joyfully remembered by all who were blessed to know her.

Visitation is 4:00-8:00 PM on Friday, August 22, at Collier’s Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd. (St. Ann). Funeral Mass celebration is Saturday, August 23, at 10:00 AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 3130 Parkwood Lane in Maryland Heights. It will be immediately followed by the Rite of Committal and burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Florissant.

Memorial donations may be made to Lafayette Industries or the Society of St. Vincent De Paul.