Pat Mendoza

Petra "Pat" Mendoza, 85, of Jackson passed away Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

One of 14 children, Pat was born April 29, 1928, in Holtville, Calif., to Genaro and Frances Banagas Ruby. She and Henry C. Mendoza were married May 22, 1949, in Yuma, Ariz. He passed away Feb. 13, 2014.

Pat and Henry lived many years in El Centro, Calif., where Pat worked for the Imperial Valley School District. They were longtime members of St. Mary's Catholic Church in El Centro. Upon moving to Jackson in 2007, they became members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

Pat was accomplished at crocheting, knitting and needlework. She also enjoyed watching game shows and baseball on TV, playing bingo and reading.

Loving survivors include two children, Linda (Ron) Hitt of Jackson and Henry "Jake" Mendoza of Los Angeles; two grandchildren, James (Heidi) Hitt of Burfordville and Christa Hitt of Jackson; two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Lydia Hitt, and a third expected in June.

Also surviving are four siblings, Eppie (John) Hitt of Huntington Beach, Calif., Paul (Olalia) Ruby of Beeville, Texas, Gilbert Ruby of Santa Paula, Calif., and Sylvia (John) Lawson of Alturas, Calif.; and nieces to whom she was close, Karen Vermerren, Debbie Baumann and Joni Moreland.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Hitt; four siblings, Lawrence and Jess Ruby, Mary Miller and Helen Holden; and five young siblings.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the chapel of McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson. Deacon Walt Biri will lead parish prayers at 7 p.m., immediately followed by the rosary led by Marian Prayer Group and St. Ann Sodality of Immaculate Church.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church, with the Revs. John Harth and Jose Araque concelebrating. The committal service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorials may take the form of contributions to Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson or Jackson Ministerial Alliance Food Pantry.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.