Pat CROW

1943 - 2017

CROW, Pat Our beloved Pat Crow passed away on May 1, 2017.

Born Patricia Faye Rush, on February 11, 1943, Pat was the eldest child of Ward and Mildred (Cousson) Rush. She had three children Marc, Jeff and Elizabeth Childers, and two siblings Henry and Barbara Rush.

Born into a military family, Pat traveled the world as a child; graduated from Killeen High School in 1961 and earned a BA in Finance from the University of Texas. She had an uncanny propensity for bearing witness to history: lived in occupied Japan during the onset of the Korean War; at age 13, lived in a polio hospital after she was stricken with Bulbar Polio; saw John F. Kennedy's motorcade moments before his assassination; attended Southwest Texas University the year it was integrated; attended the founding meeting of the Texas Women's Political Caucus and was a founding member of the Austin Women's Political Caucus, serving as President.

Pat had a profound impact on her family, always bringing love and laughter to family gatherings. Every birthday and holiday was reason enough for the family to have a party and Pat dearly loved those family moments. Known as Yaya to her 5 year old granddaughter, Lila Faye, their weekly outings were very special for Pat and a source of great joy. Most people knew Pat as a political force, but to her family she was just one of us.

At barely 5 foot, Pat was a larger than life character who never met a stranger and had a vast collection of friends of all ages. She was loving, funny, quirky, loud, brilliant, opinionated, a champion for people & causes, a voracious reader, a lover of films, and had expertise on an array of subjects, including politics, art, film, literature, geography, history, and global issues.

Pat also made an indelible mark on our community as an activist and Democratic operative. Working alongside political consultant David Butts for over 25 years, Pat became one of (if not the most) Winningest Campaign Mangers in Austin & Travis County. From 1982-2008 she won 27 out of 31 political campaigns, including important ballot initiatives: the Save Our Springs initiative (1992), creation of the Hospital District (2004), and the Smoking Ban (2005).

Pat's outlook on life was shaped by the twist and turns that force each of us to declare who we are. Her awareness of power and how it favors the privileged few over the masses, made Pat a champion of the underdog. She wasn't afraid to speak truth to the powerful, the bullies, the bigots, and the self-servers. She understood that we are all in this together and worked to elect all types of people, including the first openly gay legislator in Texas. Her support of a candidate, and for people in general, was based on what was in a person's heart and mind and not what they were born as. Pat's tireless efforts helped shaped Austin into the progressive community it is today.

In 2008, Pat suffered a major stroke, but true to her nature, she battled back against impossible odds and continued to serve as an inspiration in our community. In 2009, the Austin Chronicle selected her as the "Best Comeback". The Austin Speech Labs extraordinary program is the reason for Pat's remarkable comeback.

Pat was preceded in death by her son Jeff Childers, her brother Henry Rush, and her parents. Pat is survived by her daughter Elizabeth Childers and husband Andrew Brooks and their child Lila Faye; her son Marc Childers and wife Jenny Kent and their children Rose and Ian; her sister Barbara Rush and her children Alexis and Mason Royal and grandson Asher; her adopted son Bryan Sales and husband Ryan; her brother Henry's daughter Emily Rush Allen and children Isaiah and Quincy, and Henry's son Dr. Joseph Leach and wife Becca and their children Jaden and Abby.

A celebration of Pat's life will take place on Friday, May 19 at 6:00pm at Barr Mansion (10463 Sprinkle Rd; 78754) In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift in Pat's memory to Austin Speech Labs. http://austinspeechlabs.org/