Patricia Merris Brayman

Pat Brayman died peacefully at home on July 17 with her husband, Walter, at her side. Born in Portland, Oregon to Ione Gardiner and George Merris, Pat carried a lifelong love of rain with her to California, where she graduated from Fresno High School in 1958. She attended Stanford University ('62) and studied as a member of the inaugural class at Stanford's Florence campus, deepening her love of art and gelato. Pat met Walter in the Stanford Library in 1961; that hushed beginning led to a lifetime of conversation and love across their marriage of nearly 54 years. A parent at 23, only a year into their marriage, Pat was a loving and energetic mother, a role in which she would excel to her last days.She earned an MA at Cal-Berkeley in English literature in 1966. From California, she moved to the Midwest, living in Columbia, Alton, and St. Louis before settling in Kansas City in 1974, where she would live for the rest of her life, with the exception of summers in Aspen.She taught literature and composition at MU, UMKC and the KC Art Institute, before moving to Yellow Freight in the early 1980s, where she would work for over 20 years as a technical writer, procedures analyst/manager and finally web designer, forming enduring friendships and discovering long-distance running.Later in life she became an accomplished marathoner, qualifying for the Boston Marathon on several occasions and completing races both throughout the US and also in Prague and London.She also indulged her youthful fascination with Pinocchio by becoming an active member of Paul Mesner Puppets, working life-size puppets in two operas and performing many years as Gaspar in the Nativity.After retiring, she also shared with her husband their love of classical music and opera, art, hiking, and running, leading to whirlwind weekends in Chicago and then more leisurely summers in Aspen. She was a popular local in the mountain town, often seen biking through the streets or manning the lemonade stand at the music tent. Favorite trips often included visits with her six grandchildren, to whom Pat was a wonderfully loving and playful Nana.Pat was predeceased by her parents and sister. She is survived by her husband Walter, children Heidi, Matthew (Elizabeth), Andrew (Andrea), former son-in-law Steven Hackel, grandchildren Anna, Gabriel, Oliver, Theodore, Maxwell and Freya.The family wishes to thank the following for their care for Pat in her struggle with ALS: Dr. Robert Neihart, Mayo Clinic, St. Luke's Hospital, KU Medical ALS Clinic, St. Luke's Home Health Care, Ciera Donald of Elder Care and Trish Falwell and staff of Good Shepherd Hospice.A funeral service will be held on Saturday July 22 at 10am at Muehlebach Funeral Home, 6800 Troost, followed by a private burial.To make a gift in Pat's memory, please donate to Mesner Puppet Theatre (mesnerpuppets.org) or Good Shepherd Hospice (123 W. Kansas Ave., Independence, MO 64050). Condolences may be expressed at www.muehlebachchapel.com.

SERVICES Funeral Service
Saturday, July 22, 2017 10:00 AM
Muehlebach Funeral Care 6800 Troost Avenue Kansas City, Missouri 64131