Patricia Marie Baxter, 77, of McKinney, Texas, passed away in her home on October 9, 2026.
Born on January 27, 1949, in Storm Lake, Iowa, Patricia (Pat, Patty, or Trish) was the firstborn of seven children to Mildred Wagner and Don Hughes. She lived throughout Iowa due to her father’s job, and the family eventually settled in Le Mars, where Pat graduated from high school in 1967. Three years later, she married Howard Baxter, her love at first sight, just four weeks after they met. Their marriage began in New England, took them through nine states, and finally brought them to Texas, where she retired as Director of the Operating Room in 2014.
Pat did not begin her career in nursing. She worked as a secretary, did bookkeeping, and was a leasing agent. However, it was not until she was 36 years old that she attended nursing school and graduated from the University of Southern Colorado. There, she discovered her passion for nursing and helping others. Putting others before herself, especially her family, was part of her DNA. Nothing was more important to her than family.
Pat loved music and singing, playing cards, supporting the Cowboys, and going on cruises. Her greatest loves were her children, whom she supported without limit and defended with her life; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose activities brought her immense joy; and, above all, Howard. After 56 years together, she loved him every day as if it were the first time.
She is survived by her husband, Howard Baxter, of McKinney, Texas; her sons, Eric Baxter and wife, Misty, and Jeremey Baxter and wife, Ami, all of McKinney, Texas; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her siblings, Marla Barfield and husband, Brad, of San Diego, California; Doni Stokes and husband, Arden, of Trinity, Texas; Don D. Hughes Jr. and wife, Kimmy, of Amelia Court House, Virginia; Sue Samek and husband, Kevin, of Solon, Iowa; and Robert Hughes and wife, Jan, of Struble, Iowa; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mildred Wagner and Don Hughes; her stepfather, Jim Wagner; and her sister, Sandra Graf.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.
Interment will be held at Ridgeview Memorial Park following the service.
The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the service, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the funeral home.