Patricia Ann Straley

Patricia Ann Straley, 70 years old, of Suwanee, GA, passed from this world on October 4, 2026. She was born November 9, 1955, in Xenia, Ohio, the daughter of Donald and Rebecca Creswell Straley. She was preceded in death by her parents, two stillborn brothers, grandparents, great-grandparents, several cousins, and many cats, most recently Lucky, Isabella, and Tomas. She is survived by her wife of 33 years, Mary Severson, and family members Penelope and Richard Thomas (OH), Mike and Robin Straley (OH), Marcie Straley (OH), Michael Wolenetz (VA), Matthew and Amanda Wolenetz (WA), Christopher and Lindsey Straley (OH), Brandon Wolenetz (WA), Brandon Straley (OH), Alexander Wolenetz (WA), Lexi Straley (OH), Charlotte Straley (OH), many cousins, and sister and brother-in-laws and their families.

Pat attended Cedar Cliff Schools in Cedarville, Ohio, graduating from Cedarville High School in 1974 near the top of her class. During high school, she worked on CedarScope, the school newspaper; played trombone, cornet, and French horn in the band, receiving lessons with the Frank Farkas classes; was inducted into the National Honor Society, attended Buckeye Girls State; and played GAA basketball all four years. On April 3, 1974, she was working at Cedarville Dairy Isle when the extremely violent F5 Xenia tornado, part of the Super Outbreak, hit. Her swift actions to move the owner’s wife and daughter and herself into the freezer most likely saved their lives.

Her determination to receive a college education, despite not having enough money to do so, is exemplified by her decision to work at South Charleston Shoe Wedge Company for a year to save money for school. Working many jobs, including as a campus police officer, she achieved her goal, graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering at the 1982 Autumn Commencement of The Ohio State University. Later, she completed several courses towards an MBA at Mercer University in Atlanta, GA.

Following graduation from OSU, she worked at both Rickenbacker Air Force Base and the United Parcel Service (UPS), eventually choosing the latter as her long-term career. She performed many roles over her 25+ yr career, always leveraging her strong mechanical/industrial engineering and managerial skills. In 1992, she joined the Atlanta-based advanced research team that developed and tested state-of-the-art automated sorting and distribution systems and then deployed these systems in UPS locations across the US. She retired from UPS in 2007.

Patricia embraced life in many ways. For example, few know she played tackle in 1979 for the Columbus Pacesetters in the National Women’s Football League - the first professional women’s football league in the US. She judged FIRST International High School Robotics competitions in Atlanta. She loved all things motorcycle, even volunteering at the annual Georgia BMW Motorcycle campouts, and riding with Dykes on Bikes in the Atlanta Pride parade. And she loved traveling with her wife. Their journeys took them to Peru, India, Egypt, Ireland, the Bahamas, Mexico, and across the US. They could often be seen in the Minnesota area of the world in their RV in the fall, as that is when the water was warm, and the fish were hungry. She had a special connection to birds, cats, and dogs. She was a beekeeper, proud gun owner, raised chickens, and always had beloved pets underfoot. She was a connoisseur of movies, fun food, and great sasquatch storytime. She was a true friend, always ready and willing to share her expertise and wisdom. She cherished her family, both near and far.

Patricia, walking as Bear Cloud Woman of the Crocodile Lineage, traveled on an eventful 30-year spiritual journey with native american shaman, Looking Hawk. Along the way, she developed a deep respect for the many relationships that supported her truly living in freedom and joy. She embraced a dynamic worldview focused on consciously listening to her own beautiful heart and spirit in the moment. She truly blessed this world with integrity, humility, courage, and, of course, her wonderful sense of humor.

She is deeply missed.