81R14006 MG-D
By: Gattis H.R. No. 1076
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The untimely passing of Patricia Ann Matheny of
Austin on June 25, 2007, at the age of 56, brought a profoundly felt
loss to her family, to her friends and colleagues, and to the
residents of her community; and
WHEREAS, Born on December 19, 1950, the former Patricia Ann
Pianta grew up in Essex, Connecticut, and she went on to graduate
from Mercy High School in nearby Middletown; she earned a
bachelor's degree in education from Rivier College in Nashua, New
Hampshire, in 1972; she later met John Matheny in Stamford,
Connecticut, and the couple were joined in matrimony in 1977; Mrs.
Matheny taught at local schools and worked toward a master's degree
in counseling, which she attained from Fairfield University in
1980, and she also completed an internship at Yale University; in
1981, Mr. and Mrs. Matheny welcomed their first child, Colin, and
two years later, they were blessed with a daughter, Molly; and
WHEREAS, Due to her husband's profession, Mrs. Matheny and
her family relocated a number of times, and by 1984, they were
living in Dallas, where Mrs. Matheny taught elementary school;
having moved to Houston in 1988, she began working with teenagers
and substance abuse patients at a psychiatric facility, Stafford
Meadows Hospital; however, her passion for teaching children led
her to seek a position as an elementary school counselor with the
Katy Independent School District in 1991; eight years later, she
and her family relocated to Austin, and she obtained a similar
position within Round Rock ISD; employed at Fern Bluff Elementary
School for seven years, Mrs. Matheny garnered praise from her
students and their parents, as well as her fellow staff members, for
her compassion and professionalism and for being an anchor for the
school community during trying times; in February 2007, she
transferred to Lakeway Elementary School in Austin, and by that
time, she had dedicated 35 years to the field of education; and
WHEREAS, This devoted wife and mother took great pleasure in
spending time with her family and friends in the home she had
carefully decorated; she was a gourmet cook and an elegant
entertainer, and she loved collecting antiques; moreover, Mrs.
Matheny was a talented musician, and she sang with the Houston
Masterworks Chorus for several years as a first soprano; and
WHEREAS, An admired educator and a cherished friend, Patricia
Matheny touched the lives of countless individuals with her
kindness and generosity, and she leaves behind a legacy that will
forever be treasured by all those who were fortunate enough to know
her; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Patricia Ann Matheny
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband, John Matheny; to her children, Colin and Molly Matheny; to
her parents, Arthur and Florence Pianta; to her siblings, Nancy
Liebman and Michael Pianta; and to her other relatives and many
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Patricia
Ann Matheny.