Patricia Harris Obituary Pat Harris, 85, began walking the Rainbow Bridge on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, attended by husband James Boot Harris and daughter Lisa Suzonne Harris. Her final dreams were peaceful. Well-known in Lubbock's financial community as a Certified Public Accountant with Mason Warner Co (MWC), Pat also was a certified Series 7 broker there, and one of the firm's partners. She belonged to the Lubbock Women's Club (LWC) and to Executive Forum and volunteered for over 30 years at the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (SPWRC). Born as Patricia Ella Fertitta on November 9, 1938, in Morton, Mississippi, to mother Lucille Fertitta (née Horne) and sugar chemist father Cena, her family moved to Alexandria, Louisiana, soon thereafter. There, she and future groom Jim first met…in kindergarten. A graduate of Bolton High, she attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge (Go, Tigers!!) as a journalism major, a Merit Scholar who also pledged Delta Gamma. Jim and Pat started dating in high school, and on into college and graduate school. They eloped to Mississippi and were married on May 9, 1957. Then they had to drive back across the state line to the LSU dorms. On August 7, 1959, daughter Lisa arrived, soon reveling in her exalted position as a lifelong only child. In 1975, the three Harrises relocated to Lubbock, where Jim, with his master's degree in landscape architecture, had joined the faculty at Texas Tech University to help establish its new department. Still eager for education, Pat re-entered school, enrolling at Texas Tech, earning a master's degree in accounting. Upon passing the Texas State CPA Exam, she quickly was hired by MWC. Also known as an animal enthusiast, in addition to her work at SPWRC she also donated wholeheartedly to The Elephant Sanctuary, Best Friends, Tiger Haven, and The Gorilla Foundation, while tending a private menagerie of cats for Jim and herself. Quite the oenophile, too, one of her favorite activities was hosting wine club meetings. Tastings at McPherson Cellars were a special social treat. She relished reading in bed with a cat atop her. A constant reader, particularly fond of a bloody good murder mystery, she regarded books as friends, and had shelves and shelves of friends. She and Jim often went traveling, in an era when travel was still fun: England, France, Italy, Spain, Greece, Gibraltar, Australia, New Zealand. Ever adventurous, she climbed Mexican pyramids and went whitewater rafting on the Mendenhall River north of Juneau, and in Costa Rica. They also knew how to relax, elegantly railroading across Canada. Of all their trips, she especially treasured going to Cefalu, Sicily, her grandparents' hometown, where she met several Fertitta namesakes. Music, too, meant a lot to her, with melody always on in the background at home. An enthusiastic dancer, she would bop around the kitchen even while she was cooking. She never missed local performances of musical theater, from TTU to traveling road shows. She will be remembered for her joie de vivre, her rapier wit, her warm hospitality, and for being a good wife, mother, and friend, not to mention for her generous and tender heart. Those left behind include husband Jim of 67 years, daughter Lisa (St. Charnez), younger brother Frank Fertitta, little sister Mary Fertitta (Jacob), plus close family members, including numerous nieces and nephews and their innumerable progeny. She also wanted a special shout-out given to Greg Curry and Dena Daniel, friends, neighbors, and adopted family. A festive gathering in her memory will be held Friday, November 1, 2024, from 5-8 p.m. at the Lubbock Women's Club, 2020 Broadway. Mailed invitations are forthcoming. Post-life arrangements have been handled by Steve Hill at Agape Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Pat asked that donations be made in her name, to SPWRC, 3308-95th St, Lubbock TX 79423-4016 (www.spwrc.org), and/or the LWC Memorial Fund, 2020 Broadway, Lubbock TX 79401-3020 (www.lubbockwomensclub.com). One might also raise a glass in her honor, perhaps her preferred cabernet sauvignon. Kindly hoist it and toast her, as well as all her long-gone kitties she is thrilled to see on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. Godspeed, Pat.