Patricia Crossley Upchurch

Patricia Crossley Upchurch, 80, of Tyler, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness on July 11, 2015. A memorial service will at 1:00pm Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at Stewart Family funeral with the Dr. Rev Allison Thompson officiating, Visitation will be at noon, one hour prior to service. Born Patricia Lynne Crossley on August 15, 1934 in Dallas, Texas, she was the oldest child of Edwin Lynn and Vyda (Gowan) Crossley. She attended Hillcrest High School in Dallas, graduating at 16. She was active in debate and forensics throughout high school, and went on to attend the University of North Texas. After spending some time living in New York City, Pat moved to Miami, Florida, and began working as a flight attendant for Delta Airlines. She loved flying, but had to give up her job in 1964 following her marriage to James Lewis Deen. During the next twenty years in Miami, she was very active in charitable causes. She served on the boards of the Junior League; the Museum of Science; the Vizcayans; the Villagers (for the preservation of historic sites); and as a chairperson of the Beaux Arts Festival (to benefit the Lowe Art Museum). She and her husband were responsible for the preservation of the historic Douglas Arch in Coral Gables, Florida, which they purchased in order to prevent its demolition. After an extensive restoration process, they then donated the landmark back to the city. For many years, she also served as chairperson and on-air emcee of the fine arts auction held to benefit WPBT, the Miami public television station. Pat was an accomplished tennis player, a gourmet cook, an avid reader, a gracious hostess and a formidable bridge opponent. Pat always maintained strong ties to Texas and to her family here. During the summers she would bring her children to the family farm outside of Tyler, Texas, where they would enjoy several months with their extended family. In 1984, she moved back to Texas, settling this time in Tyler. She purchased an historic home on Chilton Avenue, and opened Deen Galleries on South Broadway. The gallery gave her an opportunity to put her fine arts knowledge to good use, and she made many friends in Tyler. In 1994, she married James Oliver Upchurch, of Kerrville, Texas, and moved to Kerrville. She and Jim spent time at houses in the hill country and in northern New Mexico, and traveled the globe. In 2003, Pat and Jim decided to relocate to Tyler, where they built a new home. Pat renewed old friendships, and was active in garden club, bridge club, the Tyler Museum of Art, the Deck Club and McClendon House. She also began writing fiction. For years, she had written and illustrated short books for her grandchildren, and she decided to undertake a larger project. In 2008, she published a novel, Summer Blessings, which chronicled the close relationships among an extended family. Jim passed away in August 2014 at their home in Tyler, after a long illness. Pat is perhaps best remembered for her radiant smile and her positive outlook. She considered herself lucky in all that she did, and felt confident that everything would turn out wonderfully. And it did. A loving mother and grandmother, Pat leaves behind her two children: Amy (David) Westbrook and Patrick (Jennifer) Deen; five grandchildren: Thomas Westbrook, Patrick Deen, Jr., Sophie Westbrook, Annabelle Deen, and Peter Westbrook; a brother: Michael (Delia) Crossley; two step-children: Alan (Becky) Upchurch and Ann (Terry) Calloway; and four step-grandchildren: Katie (Shen) Sueda, Carrie Calloway, Susan (Chris) Minicone and Emily Upchurch. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Tyler Museum of Art 1300 S Mahon Ave, Tyler, TX 75701 or the Cameron – J. Jarvis Troup Municipal Library 102 S Georgia St, Troup, TX 75789.

Patricia Crossley Upchurch

August 15, 1934 - July 11, 2015