Patty Brooks Nevins (March 19, 1941 - March 6, 2011)

Patricia G. Brooks Nevins passed away Sunday evening after a brief illness. She is survived by her husband, Francis M. Nevins, and sister, Susanne Sanguinette (both of St. Louis), and brother Brad Brooks (Williamsburg, Va). She is also survived by two nieces and two nephews. She was actively involved with Clowder House Foundation, a cat rescue organization, and she supported other animal welfare programs.

Services: The family will receive friends at The Lupton Chapel, 7233 Delmar Blvd, University City on Saturday, March 12th from 2 p.m - 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Clowder House Foundation, 3134 Wyoming Street, St. Louis, MO. 63118 

(Published by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on March 9, 2011.)

Rembrance from Patty's niece, Noelle:

I just wanted to say a few words on behalf of me and my family on how much Patty meant to us. My Aunt Patty was an extraordinary person, she was humble, unselfish, and cared for others. She was a dear friend and a second mom to me for 46 years and I have many fond memories. One memory that I share with my Cousin Allison is being left behind on walks because we couldn't keep up. Patty was so fit, ate healthy and believed in lots of exercise. She was always so full of energy.

Another great memory of Patty is how dedicated she was towards animals, especially cats. They were her children. She dearly loved her cats. She volunteered at Clowder House each week and loved every minute of it.

Patty also taught me many things. She taught me how to cook great meals. She also taught me how to fix things around the house. She also taught me how to paint. There wasn't anything Patty couldn't do Most importantly, she taught me determination. Patty was such a strong and compassionate person and I always admired her for that. If you knew Patty, you knew she was dependable. She was always there to listen and offered guidance. If you ever needed help, you knew you could count on her. I came across this poem which I would like to dedicate to Patty.

We close our eyes as we wipe a tear.
We just keep wishing you were still here.
We will hold all the memories deep in our hearts.
Through these memories will never part.

We close our eyes as we wipe a tear.
We just keep wishing this pain would disappear.
We didn't get the chance to say our last good-byes.
We just didn't think you could ever die.

We close our eyes as we wipe a tear.
All of your love we will always hold near.
In our hearts and our minds we will never be alone.
When our time comes...
We will meet you in heaven!

WE LOVE AND MISS YOU!

Rembrance from Bill Holscher:

Right up to graduation day Patty remained a beguiling enigma to me, one of my then unresolved regrets from those memorable years at WGHS. Our senior year we shared Mrs. Weirich’s homeroom. Each morning as Patty arrived at 304 just before the bell I would watch her quietly exchange pleasantries with Mrs. W, then glide across the room with her armful of books to a favorite corner desk. I imagined that her brilliant long and wavy blonde hair could part clouds on a gloomy day. We had no classes together, so those were my brief few minutes a week with Patty….until two years later.

In the fall of 1961 her brother Brad (’61) began his quest for an engineering degree at Washington U. I had begun mine there two years earlier, but I was faltering and ended up moving over to Mizzou. During that shared year at W.U. Brad and I became great pals and still are. Yes, through Brad I finally got to know Patty and their delightful mom, Georgine. I really enjoyed my frequent visits to the Brooks’ home. Patty and Georgine always had a number of four-legged companions in residence, and when I would arrive at the front door I could expect to be greeted by several happy dogs rushing up to see me, with the cats scattering in all directions.

The ladies claimed floors one and two, while Brad held forth under the eaves on the third with a secure door to keep the pets below. He staked out a portion of the basement for his amazing electronics lab, including a Jacob’s Ladder, a Tesla coil, an oscilloscope and other assorted high-voltage hazards. Patty and Georgine wisely kept a safe distance from them, as usually did I. During those visits there often was frequent good-natured banter between the siblings, with me often chiming in. No matter what outlandish boast or wisecrack we made, Patty’s quick wit and wry humor could stop us cold. Georgine enjoyed those moments very much, always rooting for Patty. So many great times with lots of laughs there.  I can also confirm that Patty, like Georgine, was an excellent cook.

Quite bravely, Georgine sheltered three spider monkeys (consecutively!) over the course of several years after their owners realized that primates are often not the most suitable pets. This proved to be true with the first two, but the third arrival was a delight.  That little girl monkey was very cute and cuddly and loved the ladies’ affection. She had chronic rickets disease but did live a reasonably long life.  She was a sweet pet, or more accurately, a beloved family member. Even Brad had to admit she was pretty darn cute.

After graduation Patty headed right into the work force. She honed her skills with a number of secretarial and administrative positions, including Old Warson Country Club and the Coronado Hotel on Lindell. She remained at 25 S. Maple after Georgine’s death in 1976. She continued to excel at providing great love and care to the household pets.  Patty became an officer with the Simian Society of America, having bonded so well with her little spider. She also was a loving aunt and mentor to her sister Suzy’s (’57) two children, Noelle and Gene.  Brad confirmed that Patty was quite skilled doing “D.I.Y.” projects, including their collaboration on a spacious enclosure for the monkeys in the TV room and a brick fish pond in the backyard, much to Georgine’s delight.

In 1978 she was introduced through mutual friends to Michael Nevins, St. Louis U. law professor and novelist. They married in 1982. Patty continued her lifelong love of pets and was a weekly volunteer at the Clowder House Foundation’s shelter for cats. When I asked Mike about Patty’s working career he said she could have been an executive secretary for any Fortune 500 CEO. She did become his.

Sadly, in March 2011 Patty died following a very virulent sepsis attack. Mike was in the  midst of writing his blog at mysteryfile.com. If you google “Mike Nevins and Patricia Nevins” you will find the tribute he wrote to his beloved Patty in his April 2011 article. I was very sorry that she did not attend our 50th, as Ellen and I were certainly looking forward to visiting with her again. Mike wrote so appropriately: “If cats had saints, she would be St. Patty.” Amen to that!!

R.I.P dear Patty, it was an honor to have such a delightful friend.