Patricia Eileen Gross Dickerson

Patricia Eileen Gross Dickerson passed away peacefully at home on April 21, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones and fortified by the Last Sacraments and Apostolic Blessing of the Catholic Church.

Rosary: 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at Thompson Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, 4350 River Oaks Blvd., Fort Worth, TX with Visitation following until 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at St. Patrick Cathedral, 1206 Throckmorton Street, Fort Worth, TX.

Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery. 

Patricia was born on August 29, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas to Helen Theone Terhune Gross and Charles Borromeo Gross. She was baptized into the Roman Catholic Faith, on November 16, 1930 at St. Patrick Cathedral on the same day as her mother, Helen. She received her First Holy Communion on April 18, 1937. She was later confirmed in the Faith with the name, Mary. Fondly referred to as Patsy Eileen, she grew up in the love and care of her parents and had one beloved sister, Dorothy Marie. They had many blessed years growing up in Fort Worth and loved to buy records and sing together. One of their favorite songs to sing was, Sisters from the movie White Christmas. “Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters.” Patricia and Dorothy even recorded a jingle once for Leonard Brothers Department Store.

She was educated by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur at St. Mary of the Assumption Grade School. There she first met her teacher, Sister Catherine Marie Houston, who became a lifelong friend. Later she attended Our Lady of Victory Academy, where she was chosen “All Class Favorite” for the Annual Marian Ball. She graduated, Salutatorian of her class at Our Lady of Victory College, where she received a Teacher’s Certificate for Secondary Education.

Although they attended grade school together, Patricia and Arthur didn’t date until college days when they renewed their acquaintance at Catholic Youth Organization get-togethers. Truly a match made in Heaven, she married her high school sweetheart, Arthur James Dickerson on April 14, 1951 at St. George Catholic Church. They recently celebrated an incredible landmark, 75 years of True Love. She was a loving and devoted wife to Arthur and, together, they had seven girls and four boys between 1952 and 1974.

Patricia was a woman of deep faith. Over the years, they were involved in several parishes; St. George, St. Mary of the Assumption, St. Andrew Catholic Church and her beloved St. Patrick Cathedral, where Patricia was a regular daily Mass attendee and a member of the Ladies’ Altar Society. She was a Dame of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 2011, Patricia and Arthur were the recipients of Papal Honors, the Pontifical Equestrian Order of St. Gregory the Great for their “well-known, legendary and appreciated commitment to the faith, the Diocese, and St. Patrick Cathedral”. They also received the City of David Award from the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. They were pleased to receive Blessings from several Popes over the yearsin Rome.

In addition to raising a family, Patricia was active in various organizations. She served as President of the Fort Worth Chapter of Catholic Alumni as well as President of the Fort WorthTheresians. For years, she was very active in Catholic organizations, such as Catholic Daughters of the Americas; Court Louise and the Ladies’ Altar Society at St. Patrick Cathedral. Patricia was a patriotic member of Pro America, Pan American Roundtable and Daughters of the American Revolution; Mary Isham Keith Chapter. She was an active member of The Woman’s Club of Fort Worth and the YPOWomen’s Forum.

In 1996, Patricia received the Mother of the Year award from the Cardinal Mindzenty Foundation, a moment of which she was very proud. As stated in her introduction that day, “She is a role model to her children. To all who are privileged to know her, she is the personification of Cardinal Mindzenty’s tribute: “The most important person on earth is a mother.” Motherhood suited her well and she was a gifted and caring mother. Being with her children, grandchildren and later great grandchildren was her heart’s delight. Patricia was a fervent prayer warrior for the needs of her family and friends, always there when needed most, always faithfully supporting Arthur in his career, and always a loving and devoted wife and mother.

We are grateful for outstanding medical care for Patricia toward the end of her life; among them Dr. Kathleen Crowley, Dr. Jennifer Hinkle, Renee New PT, Vital Caring and Community Healthcare of Texas, and precious nurse aide, Linda Womack. The family is also very grateful for many years of devoted care from Donald Thomas.

She is survived by her husband of 75 years, Arthur James Dickerson, nine children, daughter, Mary Patrice Aloia (Gregory) of Debary, FL; daughter, Cecilia Denice Miller (Jim) of Keller, TX; son, Arthur James Dickerson, Jr. (Diana) of Godley, TX; daughter, Michelle Catherine Rosar (Mark) of Frisco, TX; son, Robert Charles Dickerson (Shannan) of Lipan, TX; son, Paul Joseph Dickerson (Mary Ellen) of Fort Worth, TX; daughter, Lisa Maria Davenport (Eric) of Aledo, TX; son, David Michael Dickerson of Keller, TX, daughter, Christina Maria Cowley (Ryan) of Aledo, TX, son-in-law Charles Ellis Wilson of Paradise, TX; son-in-law Mark Richard Matteson of Dallas, TX, 45 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Charles Gross, her sister Dorothy Gross Behan, two beloved daughters Colette Marie Wilson of Paradise, TX and Annette Clare Matteson of Dallas, TX, and one grandson, Joseph Pasquale Aloia.

She will be greatly missed.

Eternal Rest grant unto her, O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon her. May the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace, Amen.