Patricia Molanders

Patricia Alice Molanders, known by all who loved her as Pat, passed away Monday August 14, 2023 in Beaumont, Texas with her loving family having always been by her side after a long battle with chronic health issues. She is now rejoicing in the presence of our Lord with loved ones who have gone before her.

Pat was born October 25, 1950 to Gisela and Wilber O’Quinn in Beaumont, Texas. Her early years in life were spent on the family farm in Natchitoches, Louisiana with her older sisters Anna, Margaret “Candy”, and little brother James with many other family members close by. Her sister’s affectionately nicknamed Pat “Tootie”. The O’Quinn family moved to Orange, Texas in 1956 and later settled in Vidor, Texas where she spent most of her life. Pat lost her father at the young age of 12 and was then raised by her loving mother Gisela, whom Pat adored and cherished until Gisela passed away in 2002. She met the love of her life, Ed Molanders Jr. at the age of 13, who had also lost his father at age 12. It was love at first sight, and the two were together the remainder of Pat’s life for over 60 years, with Ed never leaving her side.

Pat and Ed Molanders Jr. were married in 1965 at age 15. Having both lost their fathers at an early age, they often reminisced that they helped to raise one another. Thru one another, they mutually gained an additional mother along the journey that they were both extremely fond of and loved, with Ed gaining Gisela and Pat gaining Ed’s mother Dorothy. Ed and Pat raised 3 children, Kay, Gina and “little” Ed whom all were never far from “Mom”. Pat worked some at the family sheet metal business as a book keeper and receptionist helping along Ed’s side, but her main place was always in the home caring for her family. She had a natural ability as a wonderful cook and never followed a recipe, yet she could repeat her famous staples with exact precision whether it be her famous gravies, roasts, German potato salad or the yearly family favorite cornbread dressing at Thanksgiving, or many, many others. She commanded the kitchen and could whip up a delicious meal with just a few simple ingrediants. To her family, there was just no one who could cook as good as “Mom” or “Maw Maw Pat”.

Pat truly had a givers heart and that is where she truly always found joy. She was always willing to sacrifice her time and resources to help the family, always putting others before herself. Pat loved to spend time just visiting over a good cup of strong coffee, and was always will to lend an ear to those who needed to talk or just wanted to visit. She regularly would visit her mother Gisela across town for a good strong cup of German coffee, to which Ed would always say he didn’t understand how Pat liked such strong coffee. Her love of that strong coffee persisted all of her life and passed to some of her children.

Pat and Ed purchased their family “farm” as they affectionately call it near Town Bluff in the early 1990’s. They enjoyed many years together there on weekends with their children and grandchildren, until they moved there in 1997. Their daughter Gina, husband Pat and their children followed Ed and Pat and moved close by, with Stephanie and Zachary always spending time at maw maws. Pat’s mother Gisela also retired and moved near by until her passing. Kay and “little” Ed and the other grandchildren were never far away and always spent weekends at the farm with “Maw Maw Pat” and Paw Paw Ed”. Pat and Ed enjoyed many years there until Pat suffered a bad heart attack in 2012. They moved back to Vidor to be closer to healthcare, the children and grandchildren. Most recently Ed and Pat remained in Vidor with “little” Ed and Kay living close by in the two houses next door and Gina and grandchildren just a few miles down the road. Pat had family and visitors over nearly every day, with Ed always by her side caring for her.

Pat is preceded in death by her mother Gisela O’Quinn, father Wilber O’Quinn, sister Margaret “Candy” Smith and brother James O’Quinn. She is survived by her Husband Ed Molanders Jr., children Jerri Kay Molanders Smith and husband Scott, Gina Rene Molanders Johnson and husband Pat, Ed Molanders III and wife Christie. Pats sister- Anna Cady and husband Mike. 8 grandchildren- Stephanie Peddy and husband Theron, Randi Tinkle, Zachary Johnson and wife Ashley, Blake Tinkle and wife Maddie, Matthew Tinkle and wife Ciara, Danielle Wilson and husband Shane, Joshua George and Hunter Griffith. 7 great grandchildren- Parker Tinkle, Cannon Tinkle, Blair Peddy, Jade Wilson, Wayne Wilson, Lucas Johnson and Emery Harris. Numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Pat was dearly loved by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; For he has clothed me in garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness..” Isaiah 61:10