Patsy Lorraine Henson's Obituary
Patsy Lorraine (Keener) Henson, 69, of Annapolis, Maryland, died Friday, October 13, 2017 at the Mandarin House where her days fighting the scourge of cancer came peacefully to an end. Pat was born August 21, 1948 in Wilmington, Delaware to Bertha Jamison and James Keener. She was the fourth of nine children.
Pat began her career training race horses eventually trading the early mornings in for a warm seat at C&P Telephone (later Bell Atlantic). From there, she became a government civil servant, including service with the Charles County Health Department and the Maryland Department of the Environment from which she recently retired.
Embedded in her soul, however, was Pat’s avocation for animals. From a young age she spent many hours at an neighborhood barn riding with her sisters and friends. As a horsewoman at heart she started working at the track, often with her young daughter Missy by her side, training racehorses. Her granddaughter Corinne continues the equine passion with riding lessons of her own.
Pat continued riding until her illness overcame her. Her love of animals and nature was expansive: volunteering with a feral cat clinic; hiking and biking; spending hours taking pictures of plants, fungi, and wild animals. With her independent spirit, she was happiest when enmeshed in the wonder of the outdoors.
Pat is survived by devoted daughter Missy Hodges, son-in-law David, and granddaughters, Lily and Corinne. To Pat’s great joy later in life, she was re-united with her daughter Dawn Tallman, and Dawn’s family, son-in-law James, and grandchildren, Tom, Megan, and Matthew.
Also surviving are four siblings: Eileen Rogalewicz (Marty), Gail Aument, Phylis Cooke, and Arnold Aument (Rosemary). Four siblings predeceased Pat: Roger Keener, Kandy McDowell, Susie Jamtgaard, and Linda Carroll.
Services will be held Monday, October 30, 2017 at 10 a.m. at
Lasting Tributes
814 Bestgate Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
[email protected]
410.897.4852
Many thanks to the wonderful men and woman of Hospice of the Chesapeake who provided incredible, loving support and care in her final days. Enough cannot be said of the wonderful staff of Mandarin house.
“Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.” —Theodor Geisel
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