Patricia Louise Olson Gonyea
GERMANTOWN - Patricia Louise Olson Gonyea— best known as “Mimi” — was born December 2nd, 1933, in Sullivan County, Indiana. She passed away December 2nd, 2021, on her 88th birthday, in Memphis, Tennessee. Pat was the eldest daughter and second-born in a family of twelve children. As the child of a coal miner and third-generation immigrant from Sweden, Patty brought success and pride to the Olson family in studying to become a nurse. She graduated from Union Hospital School of Nursing in 1955 where she received special recognition for her outstanding work as a medical nurse. She then went on to work at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City and the Veteran’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. During her years in Germantown, Tennessee, she worked a variety of nursing jobs while also raising her children.
Mimi was best known for her love of reading, her needle-work, the best dang sausage gravy you could ever taste, and her homemade sourdough bread. She showed her love to others through acts of service. As a big sister and second mom (aka “The Godmother”), mother, grandmother, and nurse, Mimi was certifiably a master caretaker. She played a very important role in the lives of her grandchildren always encouraging them to pursue their dreams. When she wasn’t looking after others, Pat liked to spend her free time traveling the world. She and her husband, “Big Ed,” visited more than 20 countries on 5 different continents.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 46 years, Dr. Edward Francis Gonyea; her parents, Carl and Edith Olson; and her siblings: Dan Olson, Berndt Olson, Marilyn Olson Brown, and Bill Olson.
She leaves behind her four children: Greg Gonyea (Kelly), Bruce Gonyea (Fiona), Larisa Farnsworth (Eric), and Carol Wingfield (Ben); her eight grandchildren: Zach Gonyea, Samuel and Claire Farnsworth, Thomas and Sophie Gonyea, and Abby, Matt, and Kate Wingfield; her siblings: Marlene Turner, Mary Dubois, Linda Monroe, Aletha Robinson, Carla Mccammon, Mike Olson, and Edie Deboo; as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In her own words, Patty “would like to be remembered as friendly... and a little bit funny!”
Her memorial service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home on Saturday, December 11th, 2021, at 2 P.M. with visitation beginning at 1:30 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation in her name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.