Mary O'Neil Lux Patton

On September 3, 2018 Mary Elizabeth “Liz” O’Neil Lux Patton, cherished mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed to her eternal rest. Born in Chicago, Illinois on January 25, 1936 to Hugh Barret O’Neil and Joan Elizabeth Zimmers, she was later adopted by Robert Arthur Lux. She grew up on the shores of Eagle Lake in Edwardsburg, Michigan and fondly remembered days of sailing as first mate with her brother “Captain” Barry.  In the spring of 1950, the family relocated to Rapidan, Virginia. Lizzie, nicknamed Sis, honed her skill as a horsewoman and had sweet memories of her much loved horse, Mickey Mouse, who she rode and jumped. She particularly loved the fast paced fox hunts.

Liz attended high school at Holy Cross Academy in Washington DC and remained there to attend Marjorie Webster Jr. College for women (with her faithful parakeet, Pete). At Marjorie Webster, she was captain of her swim team and perfected the form of her swan dive. True to the college mission, she remained athletic throughout her life and encouraged sports in all her children and grandchildren. In DC, she met her first husband, the late George Driver Bragaw Jr., with whom she raised five children.

Liz lived a rich life of interests and occupations too numerous to mention including the restoration of an 18th century log farm house, managing Shookstown boarding and breeding kennel, tending her many gardens, and raising her family. Her children remember the large organic gardens of their youth and helping can and freeze all the family vegetables. She was proud to be called a Kennedy Democrat and followed politics throughout her life. She was a faithful Catholic and was committed to the service and care of others including her training as a hospice volunteer in Maryland at Frederick Memorial Hospital and in West Virginia.

Never losing her love of water, she always yearned for the sea and loved the summers at Nags Head where her six brothers, sisters and mother would gather, bringing together the ever increasing brood of the next generation.  Always adventurous, one of her favorite treks was a 1993 motorcycle trip across the country with husband, John “Pat” Patton.

Her domiciles during her adult life included Bethesda, MD; Frederick, MD; Lexington Park, MD; Wilmington, NC and Martinsburg, WV. A few of her employers included: the YMCA, Hood College, Frederick Memorial Hospital, Great Mills High School, Frederick County Public Defender’s Office, and M.A. Bongiovanni Inc. Throughout her life she was active in organizations that reflected her interests from 4-H to hiking clubs. She was one of the founders of the Labrador Kennel Club of the Potomac.

Marriages to Marshall Souther and Carl Benfeldt ended in divorce. She was married to John “Pat” Patton for 20 years before his death in 2005.

She is survived by her beloved sisters, Catherine Lee Lux and Susan Diane Stanton, and Joan “Snooks” Miller (Al); sister-in-laws Gail Lux and Barbara Lux her children, Catherine Louise Bragaw (Len), George “Bo” Driver Bragaw III (Anita), Gretchen Lord (Andy), Nicole Bragaw Hirni (Mark) and John Laurence Bragaw (Helen); 32 grandchildren Chris Compher (Dana), Vallie Compher, Theodore Compher (Katie), John Winston Compher (Kristy), William White IV, Melanie Schlaak, Elizabeth Bragaw, Bella Bragaw, Joan Haynos Rambo (Mike), Robert Haynos (Kim), Katie Haynos Hogan (Buddy), Daniel Haynos (Sydney), Charles Lord (Megan), Rebecca Lord, Colette Lord, Matt Hirni, Ann Hirni, Erin Hirni, Allie Bragaw, Maddie Bragaw and Jack Bragaw; great-grandchildren,  Tymber Elizabeth Compher, Shelby Renee Jones, Jeremy Franklin Whitfield, Emory Noelle Whitfield, Alexandria Compher, Joanne Compher, David Andrew Compher,  Kelen Rambo, Zuri Rambo, Emily Hogan and baby girl Haynos on the way; devoted friend Sharon Stemple, beloved companion Jack Dempsey, her sweet Yorkie dog Bonnie and a large family of loved nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by brothers Hugh Barret “Barry” Lux and John Joseph Lux, son-in-law Daniel Haynos, brother-in law Stephen Stanton, grandchild, John Hirni, nephew Michael Miller and niece Elizabeth “Lizzie” Miller.

Her family will miss her pioneering character, strong will, fierce independence, infectious laugh, enduring love and humanitarian spirit.

A visitation will be held on Friday, September 14, 2018, from 6:30 – 8:30 pm at Stauffer Funeral home in Frederick, MD. A Memorial Mass to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, September 15, 2018 at 11 am at Saint Katherine Drexel, in Frederick, MD with interment to follow at Mt. Olivet cemetery. Father Keith Boisvert will be the celebrant.

The family will be forever grateful for the devoted care she received at Buckingham’s Choice and Frederick Memorial Hospital.  Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice of Frederick County, 516 Trail Ave., Frederick, MD 21701. http://www.hospiceoffrederick.org.