Patricia Joyce 'PJ' McNally
Patricia
Joyce "PJ" McNally, was reborn to Eternal Life
with Jesus at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 26. Mass of
Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, July 7, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church.
The Vigil (rosary) will be at 7 p.m. Friday,
July 6, at the Bonners Ferry Funeral Home, with
interment to be in Grandview Cemetery.P.J. McNally was born in Dennison, Iowa, on April 18, 1928. Her parents were Marie and Harold Servoss. From the day of her birth she was known as P. J. and joined a sister, Clalien. Her siblings who were born later were sister Sarah (Sally), and brother, Delos (Dee).
As she grew, her love of helping others developed and she began her training as a nurse. She graduated from St. Catherine's Nursing School, an affiliate of Creighton University, in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1948.
P.J.’s family moved to Bonners Ferry, where she began her nursing career. She met and married her beloved Harold McNally and together they had six children: Kathy, Kevin, Margaret, Patti, Steve, and Keith.
When Harold died in 1965, she began the endeavor of raising her children alone, with the help of kind and caring extended family and friends in the community. Her life with Harold was brief but enduring; she was always his.
She tried to help where she was needed. For her efforts she was awarded "Woman of the Year" in 1980 by the Beta Epsilon chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. She was a devout member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry where she served on the Altar Society and with her beautiful voice in the choir.
P. J. was also a member of the local Hospital Auxiliary, the Legion Auxiliary, the Eagle's Auxiliary and the American Cancer Society. She volunteered for the March of Dimes, blood drives, and worked at the polls during elections.
Later in life, when able, she was a generous donor to Habitat for Humanity, the food bank, and many other good causes. Among other volunteer activities, she set and styled hair at the Restorium.
She enjoyed walking, bicycling, golfing and bridge. Other interests were music, reading, having coffee with friends, and sharing a good joke or story. She received great joy and comfort from daily prayer.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, Marie and Harold Servoss, husband Harold, in-laws Cyril and Harold McNally, sister Clalien Carper, brother Dee Servoss, godson Jim Reynolds, and many other loved family members and good friends.
She is survived by her sister Sally Reynolds, sister-in-law Joyce Truesdell, all her children: Kathy Curtis (John), Kevin McNally (Vicki), Margaret Ruotsalainen (Robert), Patti Ochsner (Rich), Steve McNally (Patti), and Keith McNally (Lill); grandchildren Tenley, Ryan, Michael, Rosie, R.J., Sarah, Payton, Cameron, Marshall, Duncan, and Keenan; and great grandchildren Isabella, Ande, and Max; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and dear friends.
P. J. will be greatly missed by her family and all who knew her, but we rejoice that she is released from pain. She is free and with the Lord!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice or the Ambulance Association in Bonners Ferry.
Family and friends are invited to sign PJ’s book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Bonners Ferry Funeral Home.