Rooney Family Tree

Pat died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on May 11, 2021 after an extensive battle with Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 70.

Pat was born May 25, 1950 in Eugene, OR as the third child to Milbert (Mel) and Leona (Vinecore) Wienecke. After graduating from Winston Churchill High School in 1969, she joined the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Fairchild AFB in Spokane, WA. It was during this assignment that she met the love of her life Bill Tackett. Bill and Pat were married in 1971 in Eugene, Oregon and immediately moved to Bitburg AFB in Germany. This is where they started a journey together that would last for more than 50 years and span the globe!

Not only was Pat an Air Force Veteran, she dedicated over 30 years of her life as a federal employee working around the world but many years were spent at General Services Administration (GSA) in Auburn, WA. In addition to raising her 2 children, a full-time job in itself, she loved bowling, reading, traveling, fabric shopping and most of all, quilting; quilting was her passion! Besides being a great mother, quilting will be what she's most remembered for. Pat was always working on her next project, and usually more than one at a time, and most of Pat's projects were for someone else. Pat was known for gifting or donating her work and never sold her work unless the proceeds went to a great cause. There wasn't a newborn she knew that didn't receive a "Pat Quilt" to go home with. Pat was also passionate about donating her work to Bags of Love, Inc. an organization that provides necessities and comfort items to children transitioning out of crisis situations.

Pat is survived by her loving husband, Bill; son, Duane (Christin) Tackett of Westminster, Colorado; daughter, Lisa (Shane) Rangel of Unionville, North Carolina; and 2 granddaughters, Katherine and Nicole. She is also survived by her siblings, Nanci Hogan of Eugene, OR, Alice (John) Brooks of Coburg, OR and Jim (Kathy) Wienecke of Eugene, OR. Pat will be lovingly remembered by numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, family members and friends spread across the U.S. from Coast to Coast!

The Family would like to thank the staff at the Monroe Manor for their care of Pat for the last 4 years.

Pat will be interned at the National Military Cemetery in Salisbury, North Carolina. A celebration of life will be held 3:00 PM ET on Saturday, May 15, 2021 at Gaskin Funeral Service, 14617 Lawyers Road, Matthews, NC and will also be broadcast via livestream for those that choose to attend virtually.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made in Pat's name to the Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/). It is our hope that one day a cure for this terrible disease will be found!