'Patricia was born on November 7, 1923, in New York City. She was the first child of Anna (Anne) Cecile Hogan and Francis Xavier Kane, Sr... Patricia was a graduate of the Academy of Mount Saint Ursula in the Bronx, New York. Just prior to the outbreak of World War II, Patricia met a handsome, young West Pointer from Tahoka, Texas, Charles (Chuck) Arthur Gaignat. They fell in love and were married on June 1, 1943 in the Chapel located at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York. The very same day Chuck graduated from West Point.'



'After flight training school, Chuck left for England in early 1944 where he was based with the 9th Air Force flying P-47's and later P-38's. This war hero flew 64 missions over enemy soil and was shot down and killed over Choisel, France on July 23, 1944. Just prior to his death, Chuck and Patricia welcomed the birth of their daughter, Dawn, who was a true joy to Chuck during the last 7 weeks of his life.'



'Patricia and little Dawn moved to Lubbock in 1945 to be near to Chuck's mother and father, Dean and Viola Gaignat, and sister, Myrna Gaignat Verner. It was in Lubbock that Patricia met another handsome young Texan, who had just returned from the war, by the name of Herbert Walker Leaverton who loved not only Patricia, but her little three year old, Dawn. After a short engagement, they married on September 26, 1947 in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Their romance continued from that date until the death of Herbert on February 22, 2011, a span of 63 years.'



'The marriage of Patricia and Herbert produced three sons, Mark, Michael, and Clay. Patricia and Herbert, the three boys and their big sister, Dawn, became a family that endures even today.'



This is an excerpt from Patricia's obituary published here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lubbockonline/obituary.aspx?pid=152652…