Patricia was born July 16, 1939, in Coffeyville, Kansas, to Frank and Lillian Ables (Gerdes). She was the third child of four. She had three brothers.

Patricia taught herself to read at the age of three.

Reading was her passion. As a child she would play school with her dolls. The love of teaching never left her soul.

Teaching children was her gift and calling.

She taught public school in Dallas Independent School District, Cedar Hill Independent School District and Grand Prairie Independent School District for a total of 42 years. She also taught Catholic School at Immaculate Conception in Grand Prairie and Saints Cyril and Methodius in Granger, for an additional seven years. Patricia also taught as a substitute at St. Mary of the Assumption in Taylor.

Patricia was a positive influence over 1,500 young lives that had the privilege of having her as their teacher.

Teaching was her calling, and she answered the call with her whole heart.

Patricia met the love of her life, Albert Joseph Gola, in 1961 on a blind date in Dallas. He was not “her” date, but somewhere during the night they ended up together and married six months later on March 24, 1962.

They were married 61 years and together raised two beautiful daughters, Gina Gail Gola and Cherie Ann Rewis (Mark). She has four grandchildren, Leslie Ann Rewis, Mark Owen Rewis II, Matthew John Rewis and Mitchell James Rewis.

Patricia loves all of her nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and great grand nieces and nephews. Family was a very important part of Patricia’s life. She also loved her furry babies as well. Patricia’s heart was made of gold, and she befriended every person she met. She would do whatever it took to help someone who needed help.

Patricia was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Joseph Gola; parents, Frank and Lillian Ables; brothers, Richard Frank Ables, William Dean Ables and Donald Joseph Ables.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Providence Funeral Home, 807 Carlos Parker Blvd. NW in Taylor.

A funeral service will be Friday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with graveside following at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery. Gina Gola and Cherie Rewis would like to give a special thank you to their caregivers who helped care for Patricia in her battle with Alzheimer’s. Thank you to Donna Vanacek, Doris Taylor, Danae Miller, Daisy L., Margie O., Stella L. and Melissa A.

A special thank you to Accent Hospice and Nurse Yvette Griffith. Yvette, without your kindness and loving coaching, Gina Gola would not have survived these last few weeks.

In lieu of flowers, please plant something to attract monarch butterflies or hummingbirds. Patricia loves Texas wildflowers, especially Bluebonnets. Make a donation to St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic School.

Please read a book to a child and expand their mind.

God Bless you Patricia Gola. Until we meet again, we promise to live our lives to the fullest and make you proud. We love and miss you.