Patricia Lee Henry

Patricia Lee Henry, 86, passed away peacefully with loved ones at her home in Alliance, Ohio, after a long illness. Her family takes solace in knowing she is at peace with Jesus and reunited with her husband, Bill, after 37 long years.

She was born April 4, 1939, in Chillicothe, Ohio, to parents Norman Earl Knisely (1914-1980) and Norma Jean Thurman (1920-1972). Patty was blessed with a younger brother, Ronald (Ronnie) Eugene Knisely, whom she loved dearly and preceded her in death. They would jokingly refer to one another as Ronaldo and Beetlebomb and shared in many youthful shenanigans. Norm later remarried Alice, who had four children of her own.

Patty loved school, and this was when she developed a life-long interest in art and poetry and could recite many classics even in her final years. She graduated from Newark High School (Go Wildcats!), Newark, Ohio, in 1957.

Even though she was not able to attend college herself, Pat was a voracious reader of the Classics and SciFi, and instilled in her children the importance of a well-rounded education. She taught them all to read at a young age, which gave them a leg-up when they entered the school system. Choosing their names carefully, she envisioned them walking across the stage with their full names being read, as they received their diplomas. This was a story she told often so that they, too, held this vision for themselves. She always told her kids they could be or do anything in life that they set their minds to do.

After high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Army. She was stationed primarily in Heidelberg, Germany, and also worked at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C., as a Medical Specialist working in the children’s and burn units. She recalled being at the hospital when President Eisenhower was brought in on one occasion. Her medical training came in handy when her children had many scrapes and bruises she could tend to, and she always taught them the science behind whatever treatment she was providing.

While in the Army, Pat was on the basketball and softball teams. She also modeled the Army uniform for the Brownie Camera. She and her Army pals loved to play practical jokes on one another, and she’d always giggle when retelling their silly antics. After nearly four years of service, she was Honorably Discharged and moved back to the States.

She was a proud mother to Craig and Eva and worked to support them as a Clerk at the local pharmacy in Newark, Ohio. Here she reconnected with her childhood best friend, Margaret Russell, who would remain her best friend until her untimely passing.

Pat was introduced to the love of her life, William (Bill) David Henry, by his older sister, Grace, whom she had met one day while striking up a conversation with a “stranger.” She never truly met a stranger and made friends easily. She herself would readily admit she was blessed with the “gift of gab,” about which her children loved to tease her.

Pat and Bill married in 1968, and moved from Gahanna to Alliance, Ohio, shortly thereafter. She loved being a part of the Henry family, as Bill had many siblings, and nieces and nephews. She shared a special closeness with Lawrence, Mary & Jeanne, and Grace, as well as the Massarellis.

Her youngest Renée was born the following year, and Pat became a full-time Mom, supporting her three children in every way. She was a devoted wife to Bill and took care of him during his protracted illness. She worked briefly at the Alliance Manufacturing Company, where they assembled the Genie garage door openers.

Pat was deeply involved in all of her children’s activities. She was a Cub Scout and Brownie leader, PTA officer, and a proud fan at all of their sporting events. She was their biggest fan and never missed a game, race or award ceremony.

Her faith in God began at a young age when she recalled seeing an Angel at the foot of her bed. She felt safe and protected by this presence, and she attended church by herself in high school. She became a member of Beechwood Christian Church in 1972 when they were still meeting at the YMCA, before they had a building. Her son, Craig, was one of her first students when she began teaching Vacation Bible School and then primary-age Sunday school, which she taught for 50 years.

While at Beechwood, she loved to sing and was 2nd Soprano in the choir and also did solos and duets with her buddy, Elaine. She was involved in the Puppet Ministry, Ladies’ Bible Study and any other place she could be of service. She loved supporting Mission work, especially projects in Haiti (Haitian Christian Outreach, Roro Eustache) and India, as well as Round Lake Christian Assembly where her kids (and later grandkids) attended church camp. Many of her closest friends were the friends she made at Beechwood, and her children appreciate all the ways various members helped her as she was aging and needed assistance with rides or even her lawn being mowed.

Her second church family when she would visit her oldest children in Columbus was Eastpointe Christian Church in Blacklick, Ohio, where she met the very special ladies in daughter Eva’s beloved Bible Study and Sunday School.

Pat served as both President and Vice President of the Cosmopolitan Club, which was a Women’s Social and Service Group. While there, she performed in plays and musicals, as well as led various committees and made many meaningful relationships. She began writing her poetry in earnest at this time and won a few contests for her work.

When her husband Bill unexpectedly died at the young age of 47, Pat found herself widowed. Her resilience was always one of her most salient strengths, and she reinvented herself yet again. She had always wanted to take Art lessons and finally did so at the age of 50. She became a prolific oil painter, and her family takes great joy in these pieces.

She was also comforted during this time by the birth of her two precious grandchildren, David and Jacqueline, who brought joy into her world, as well as her new son-in-law, Don and his daughter, Toshia, with whom she also shared special relationships.

In 1988, she found herself back in the workplace and took a job at Coastal Pet Products, Inc., where she worked for 27 years, before retiring at the age of 76. While the work was fast-paced, she always managed to meet and exceed her quotas and won several performance awards during her employment.

In her retirement years, she continued to be involved in her community and started a volunteer position at the Alliance Pregnancy Center, creating supply packages for young mothers. She adored the women who worked there, as well as the women the organization served.

In these later years, Pat also enjoyed her monthly luncheons with the Beechwood Church ladies, as well as getting to have many adventures with her beloved sister-in-law Jeanne.

As a little girl, Patty had a beloved cocker spaniel, but she was mostly known for her love of cats, which provided her much comfort especially in her later years. She also was a loyal Buckeyes fan and known to be a fierce and competitive Taboo player! Just ask her grandkids!

Some of our fondest memories with her include: Christmas time with the whole family, especially her love of the Monotones singing group, birthdays with the grandkids, watching “good” movies (“they’re all good movies!), nature parks and water parks, trips to the Redwoods, Catalina Island, and Hawaii, especially seeing her face when she saw a baby whale breach for the first time. She always had a childlike wonder to any experience she was offered. She was a humble and appreciative woman. We used to joke that you could give her a rock, and she would tell everyone that you had given her the most prized treasure because she saw with her heart above all else.

Pat, our beloved Mom, was blessed with incredible care teams: she didn’t have just one care team but three! We are grateful for the Cleveland and Canton V.A. for all they did for our mother and for the equipment and supplies that made her life easier in those final years. Your Home Court Advantage was the agency that supplied all of her incredible aides who provided her with the best of care—many of these women we love like family and will always remember the special kindness, professionalism, and humor they shared with us and with her. Finally, we’d like to recognize the entire Crossroads Hospice team, who have all been a joy and provided a sense of comfort, not only for Mom but for our entire family. We would be remiss if we didn’t give a special acknowledgement to her nurse Ashley, who was with Mom from almost the very beginning of a long journey on hospice care. She held the sweetest space with her calm assurance and guidance even up to the final moment. You have an indelible place in our hearts.

She is survived by her three children: Craig Henry, Eva (Don) Henry-Kimbler, Renée Henry; three grandchildren, David (Becca) Henry-Kimbler, Jacqueline (Dylan) Trumpower, and Toshia (Kim) Hogan, and beloved nieces and nephews, and friends.

The Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at Beech Creek Botanical Gardens in the Secret Garden, located at: 11929 Beech Street NE, Alliance, OH 44601. The military service will begin promptly at 11:30 am, with visitation at 11:00 am. Light reception will immediately follow from approximately 1:00-2:30 pm. All are invited to the reception even if unable to attend the service. We encourage you to wear bright colors to celebrate her life, with fancy hats being most welcomed! She always had a penchant for a wide-brimmed hat!

If you wish to make a donation in her name, the family suggests the BrightFocus Foundation, which funds groundbreaking research for the prevention of macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease (donate.brightfocus.org), or to the charity of your choice. Thank you for loving our special lady!