Patricia Lee Vodneck LeMay Obituary (1930 - 2024)

Born Mar 25, 1930, Patricia Lee Vodneck LeMay attended Sparks High School in Sparks, NV. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Patricia Lee Vodneck Lemay.

Graduation Year	(unknown)
Date of Birth	Mar 25, 1930
Date of Passing	Oct 22, 2024
About	It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beautiful mother Patricia Lee LeMay on October 22, 2024, at the age of 94. Patricia, known as Patsy to friends and colleagues, was born on March 25, 1930, in Elko, Nevada to Joseph and Thelma Vodneck. Patricia spent her early childhood in Jackson Hole, Wyoming where her father owned and operated the town’s dry goods store. The Vodneck family eventually moved to Sparks, Nevada where Patricia attended Sparks High School, excelling as an honor student and as a popular award-winning drum majorette. Patricia was active in other extracurricular activities, including serving as Worthy Advisor of the Sparks Chapter of the International Order of Rainbow Girls. Following graduation, Patsy worked as an executive secretary for First National Bank of Nevada where she met and married Leonard LeMay. Shortly after their marriage in 1951, Patricia accompanied Leonard to Fort Worden, Washington when he was recalled by the United States Army during the Korean War. They had their first child, Nancy, during Leonard’s deployment, followed four years later by the birth of their son Michael after the couple returned to Reno after the war. When her youngest child reached school age, Patricia began working as the Jessie Beck School secretary. In later years, she served as Director of PBX-Reception at Washoe Medical Center. Always recognized for her beauty and style, Patrica was frequently recruited as a fashion model for business and community charitable events. She modeled for numerous Washoe Medical Center Women’s League programs; the Republican Women of Nevada where she was chosen to wear Jacqueline Kennedy’s inaugural gown for the organization’s national event ‘First Ladies on Parade’; and was well known as one of Reno’s famous ‘Strolling Models’. In 1976, Patricia served as the Potentate’s First Lady when Leonard was elected Potentate of the Shrine Kerak Temple. She was by his side throughout his term and continued to support her husband in many other civic and social projects he undertook for Masonry and the Shrine. The glamorous Patricia was frequently complimented for her outgoing personality and her legendary skill as an event organizer and hostess. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Leonard LeMay, her brother Joseph Vodneck Junior, and her sister Nancy Hermes. She is survived by her daughter Nancy LeMay, her son Michael LeMay and daughter-in-law Robyn LeMay. She is also survived by her grandchildren Alexandra Newman, Lorie LeMay, Melissa Bachman (Chad), and Zachary LeMay (Paige), along with her great-grandchildren Quincy LeMay, Jade Bachman, and Charlotte Bachman. Family meant everything to Patricia. A private family dinner was held to celebrate Patricia’s life with much fond remembrances and dancing. Patricia’s energy and spirit will live on in all of us and we will forever be grateful for her presence in our lives.