Patricia Milligan

Tish (Kierl) Milligan passed away at the age of 69 in Oklahoma City on April 30, 2024 after a courageous seven-month battle with cancer.

Tish, one of 10 children, was born March 22, 1955 in Pittsburg, KS to Phil and Betty Kierl. The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1957, where she became a lifelong member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. Tish graduated from Rosary Catholic School and Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. While at McGuinness, she was named class favorite her freshman and sophomore years, was elected Homecoming Queen her junior year, and starred on the basketball team, where she reached the state semifinals in 1973. Tish attended St. Gregory’s University in Shawnee, OK and Marymount College in Salina, KS. Since this was the start of Title IX, while in college Tish played basketball, volleyball, tennis, and softball to help pay for her college education. After graduation she taught physical education and entered the coaching world, which included a two-year stint as head coach of the Mount St. Mary High School girls’ basketball team. After retiring from high school coaching, she coached volleyball, softball, and basketball at Rosary Catholic School for many years.

Tish was recognized as the Rosary Distinguished Graduate in 2007, and the McGuinness Alumni of the Year in 2024. In 2005 she was inducted into the McGuinness Athletic Hall of Fame.

Tish loved seeing her grandchildren, and attending their ball games and dance performances. She preferred driving vacations to airplane trips, so that she could pack the car with everything she felt was needed. Tish insisted on proper etiquette and decorum while entertaining, with particular attention to detail. She loved to decorate for all events, especially for any holiday.

Tish was a proud member of the Altar Society at St. Francis for many years. She was very active in the Rosary Home and School Association (PTA) for 25 years, where she was in charge of Oktoberfest, the Annual Auction, and Turkey Bingo, raising participation and fundraising to new heights. Her creative ideas and decorations made the annual Breakfast with Santa a can’t-miss event. Each year she would help the Center of Family Love with the annual gala, organizing the decorations and soliciting donations for the auction. Tish was also a trustee of the Robert Glenn Rapp Foundation.

Tish married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Mike Milligan, on June 3, 1978. She is survived by Mike and their children: Beth (Steve) Watts, Katie (Jimmy) Guadalupe, Michael (Misty) Milligan, Bridget (Colt) Parks, and Stephanie (Travis) Warman. Tish is also survived by 14 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Phil and Betty Kierl, and two grandsons: James Wyatt Parks and Beau Wyatt Parks.

Viewing will be 11am – 4pm Monday, May 6th at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home (1401 NW 23rd Street). Wake Service & Rosary will be 7pm Monday, May 6th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church with reception following. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10am Tuesday, May 7th at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the endowment for Rosary School (1919 NW 18th St., Oklahoma City, OK 73106).