Roll Call Tribute

Patricia Anastasia Haensly
December 4, 1928 – April 15, 2023

On April 15, 2023, Patricia Anastasia (Banach) Haensly passed away peacefully at the age of 94 at her residence in Houston, Texas. She was the loving and proud mother of eight children, grandmother to 13 grandchildren, and great grandmother to one great grandchild.

Patricia was born in Mosinee, Wisconsin on December 4, 1928. She attended Lawrence College for her undergraduate degree, received her master’s degree from Iowa State University where she met her husband William “Bill” Haensly, and earned a PhD at Texas A&M University in 1982. Her passion for teaching, research, and writing in the field of educational psychology led to teaching posts at TAMU, Baylor University, Blinn College, and University of Western Washington. She was also very active in AAUW leadership, began a summer preschool program called Minds Alive, served as a delegate for the People to People Ambassadors Program, and was part of the Northwest Initiative to China with the Governor’s Office of Washington State. She also served on many editorial boards including Gifted Child Today.

However, her greatest love was her family, especially her husband Bill—who preceded her in death in 2001–and her eight children. Bill and Pat were married in 1954 in Battle Creek, Michigan. After raising their family in Ames, Iowa and then College Station, Texas, Patricia and Bill moved to Bellingham, Washington, where they enjoyed seven more years of joyous life together. While pursuing an amazing career, she also created a home full of faith and love that included lots of laughter, CCD classes, personalized birthday cakes for every child, den mother duties, secret missions, bedtime read-a-louds, packing lunches for everyone each morning, camp outs and picnics, and the establishment of so many family traditions that were passed on to her children’s families.

Patricia moved to Houston, Texas in 2005, where, in addition to watching her many grandchildren grow, she was an active resident at Eagle’s Trace Senior Living. There she touched many lives while participating in activities like Spanish class and the Great Discussion group, contributed articles to the Eagle’s Trace Tribune, and served on the committee that established ongoing scholarships for the young employees she befriended. In 2011, at the age of 83, she co-authored a book called “A Unique Generation: 70+ Living “it up” in a retirement community” and even enjoyed a book signing event at Eagle’s Trace. You can still find her book on Amazon!

Patricia is survived by her children: Paul Haensly (loving husband of Rhina) of Midland, Texas; Robert Haensly and wife Pauline Melgoza and daughter Sofia of Bryan, Texas; Tom Haensly and wife Sharon of Shoreline, Washington and their daughter Rachael Hael and husband Owen of Seattle and daughter Sarah Haensly; Jim Haensly and wife Judy of Boulder, Colorado and children Joshua Haensly of New York City, and Julianna and Joelle of Boulder, Colorado; John Haensly and wife Jean and children Matthew and Samuel of Seabrook, Texas; David Haensly of Murchison, Texas; Mary Haensly O’Connor and husband Tim and children Katherine, Alexander, and Caroline of Cypress, Texas; and Katy Haensly Robbins and husband Mike of Cypress, Texas and children Victoria Robbins of Fort Worth,Texas and Jackson of Cypress, Texas. She is also survived by one great granddaughter Bo Hael.

Patricia was predeceased by parents Paul and Valeria Banach. Her late brothers and sisters were Frank Banach, Louis Banach, “Bunny” Morrison, Katherine Hoshaw, Verona Wentz, Leo Banach, Philip Banach, Jacob Banach, Barbara Walthers, and Lenore Lemire. She is also predeceased by her daughter-in-law Rhina Haensly.

Patricia’s family would like to thank the kind and loving caregivers of Bayou Vista at Eagle’s Trace for the amazing care they gave Mom over the past four and a half years. Patricia/Mom/Grandma Pat will be greatly missed but we are at peace with the hope and faith that we will all be reunited in glory with God our Father in Heaven.

Funeral Mass for Patricia will be June 12, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Catholic Church 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Following Mass, the inurnment will take place at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079