Pat Merlau

Ms. Pat Merlau, age 85, of Ocean Springs, formerly of Texas, "put out her hand and touched the face of God", on Saturday, October 7, 2017. Pat was welcomed into Heaven by her parents, brother, Billy Van Galen, husband, Bill Merlau and son, John Merlau. She was an incredibly, loving mother to her children, Chris Byrd, Liz (Vic) Mann, Helen Hall, Neil (Diane) Merlau, Terri Frederick, David Merlau, Patty Merlau and Amelda Merlau. She is also survived by her sister, Elaine Van Galen (Sister Antoinette-Benedictine Order) of Bouerne, TX and Joan Gates of Pearland, TX. She was a wonderful grandmother to her 31 grandchildren, 43 great-grandchildren and 23 great-great grandchildren. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends. Pat never met a stranger and truly lived her faith by taking care of all those who were blessed to know her. She was an Air Force wife and enjoyed traveling this great country with her husband's career. After his retirement, they settled in Ocean Springs in 1966. She was a longtime member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where she was a member of the Altar Society. She retired at eighty years old after working in the children's nursery at St. Paul's United Methodist Church and Mothers' Morning Out at the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs. She was indeed one of God's angels on earth. Visitation will be on Thursday, October 12, from 6pm until 9pm, with an 8:30 pm Rosary, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, October 13, there will be an 11am Mass of Christian Burial, at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church. Burial will follow in D'Iberville Memorial Park.