Marie Dycus Pattison

MARIE DYCUS PATTISON, dedicated educator, community leader, mother, and grandmother, passed away Friday, June 17, 2011, at her home in Pattison, TX . The eldest of Charley and Agnes Dycus's eight children, Marie was born March 5, 1939, in Sealy, TX . As a teenager, Marie was actively involved in the family's business, the Seven Sisters Drive-In, a Sealy hot spot in the 1950's and 1960's. She graduated third in her class from Sealy High School in 1957. Marie married a smitten Joseph Pattison of Pattison , TX in 1958. Her first job in education was as a school secretary for Bellville High School . She raised four strong and loving daughters while obtaining her bachelor's degree from the University of St. Thomas ( Houston ) and, later, a master's degree from Prairie View A&M University . Marie taught and mentored multiple generations as an English and journalism teacher and then counselor at Royal High School in the Pattison and Brookshire , Texas area. During her time at Royal ISD, Marie chaired the English Department and coordinated UIL literary and academic activities. She also sponsored many school activities, including the newspaper and yearbook, a state-championship debate team, and the National Honor Society. She loved her students, and counted coworkers among her closest friends. Marie was a devout Catholic and shared her teaching, music, and other talents with the local Catholic churches in Sealy and Pattison. Most notably, she served as a catechist and director of religious education for over fifty years. Her church work and friends brought her joy. Marie was instrumental in the incorporation of the City of Pattison and the establishment of the Brookshire-Pattison Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She also served as an EMS volunteer and a city councilwoman for the City of Pattison . Marie is survived by her handsome husband of 53 years, Joseph; her daughters and sons-in-law, Nancy and Andrew Buy of Pattison, Gina Pattison of Houston, Sheila Pattison and Matt Zengler of New Braunfels, and Corrie Pattison of Pattison; and the lights of her life, her four grandchildren, Drew and Ryan Buy of Pattison and Juliana and Luke Zengler of New Braunfels. She is also survived by her six devoted sisters and their spouses, Dolores Kocurek, and Kathy and Fred Kugel of Brenham, and Sue and Billy Schavrda, Eva and John Bird, Patricia Dycus, and Jacquelyn and Thomas Smaistrla of Sealy; sisters-in-law Corrie Tatum and Carla Dycus; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Dale Dycus. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 21, 2011, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pattison from 5 - 7 p.m. Rosary will follow at 7 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart at 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2011, with interment following in the Pattison Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pattison or to the Pattison Fire Department.