Patricia O. Bailey

Patricia Owens Bailey (Lemesh)

Patricia Bailey passed peacefully on Wednesday, August 10, 2016. Pat was born in Pike County, AL, the daughter of Len G. and Olga Owens. The family moved to Auburndale, FL in 1947, where both sets of grandparents lived. The family moved again to St. Cloud, FL in 1952. Pat graduated from St. Cloud High School in 1956. She attended the University of Florida, where she met and married John Bailey, of St. Cloud, in 1958. After John graduated UF, he went to work for the US Department of Labor. They moved from Gainesville to Alexandria, VA, then Hyattsville, MD, then Kansas City, MO, then to Leewood, KS and finally Framingham, MA.

While in Framingham, from 1968-1978, Pat raised her three boys and became involved in local School Board and Town Meeting politics. She also fostered several teenagers, at various times.
Pat returned to the Orlando area in 1978 and became a Realtor. At a Christmas party in 1983, she met Al Lemesh. On their first date, New Year's Eve, Al proposed. They married April 27, 1984. They had 30 years of love, laughter, world travels, and the Lutheran Church. As with her politics, when Pat got involved in something she felt passionately about, she jumped in with both feet to reorganize and improve. She was involved in Church Council at St. John Lutheran Church for 20 years. She and Al transferred to Redeemer Lutheran and she continued to serve in her new spiritual home.

Al Lemesh passed in July, 2014 and Pat moved to Gainesville. Pat had endured health issues the past 15 years with courage, strength, and lots of faith. Never complaining or feeling sorry for herself, she amazed her doctors with her perseverance and determination.
Pat was pre-deceased by her parents, husband, step-son Kirby Lemesh, and grandson Justin Bailey.

Pat will be greatly missed by her family and many friends. She is survived by her brother, James (Ginnie) Owens of Gainesville, FL and sister, Joyce Adams (Larry Gaunt) of St. Cloud, FL. She is survived by three sons: John (Lisa) Bailey, of Gainesville, FL, Clay (Laura) Bailey of Orlando, FL , and Ben (Nicole) Bailey of Natick, MA. She is survived by step-daughter Karen (Paul) Sousa, of Charleston, SC, step-daughter Dr. Aleen Lemesh of Novato, CA and step-son Galen (Barb) Lemesh of Denver, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren: John Bailey and Elise Rodriguez (Fernando) of Gainesville, FL; Nathalia Bailey of Palo Alto, CA; Clay Andrew Bailey of Orlando, FL; Griffin and Mason Bailey of Natick, MA. She had one great-granddaughter, Clara Rodriguez, of Gainesville, FL. She will be missed by all of them and by her numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life service will be conducted 4 pm, Sunday, August 21, 2016 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3377 Aloma Ave., Winter Park, FL. Viewing will precede the service at the church from 3-4 pm. Reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, Pat requested that mourners contribute a random act of kindness. Memorial contributions may be made to the Redeemer Lutheran Church Memorial Garden.