Patsy Ruth Martin (’57), Austin. An education major, she taught fifth grade at Bowie Elementary in Abilene ISD. After moving to Austin in 1962, she became a member of the Women’s University Club at the University of Texas, a volunteer with the Friends of the Governor’s Mansion and president of the Women’s Architectural League.

Lana Allen Allston ('63), Frisco. A member of the Kappa Delta sorority, she earned a psychology degree and met husband James L. Allston while at North Texas. The couple was married more than 59 years and had two children. A friend to many, she was a creative and talented artist and craftsperson.

Thomas Martin (’62), Anson. After graduating from North Texas, he earned a master’s in education from East Texas State University and went on to coach and teach in the Mt. Vernon, Seymour and Mesquite ISDs. He was a school administrator in Mesquite until his 1997 retirement. He was active in his church and the Roadrunners Car Club.

Rosemary W. Patterson (’85 Ph.D.), Sykesville, Maryland. A professional psychologist, she served as assistant director of the psychology department at Spring Grove Hospital Center, and as director of psychology at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was known for her compassion, generosity and dedication to her craft.

Rives McBee (’62), Irving. Played golf at North Texas State from 1959 through 1962. The Denton native earned a golf scholarship and served in the Army National Guard before returning to study at North Texas. During his time with the Eagles, Rives played in the No. 1 position for three years and won 16 individual titles. As captain of the golf team during his senior year, he led the team to win the Missouri Valley Conference championship and finish third at the NCAA men’s golf championship. After graduating, he was a physical education teacher at Garland High School and also played on the Texas amateur golf circuit. From 1965 through 1971, he was on the PGA Tour and played in 13 majors including The Masters, U.S. Open and PGA Championships. He was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for shooting a record-breaking low score of 64 at the 1966 U.S. Open. Known to many as “Da Pro,” during his career Rives served as assistant pro at the Midland Country Club, head pro at Las Colinas Country Club and director of golf at Las Colinas Sports Club. A co-founder of the North Texas PGA Junior Golf Association and founding member of the North Texas Junior Golf Association, he was inducted into the North Texas Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.

Mary Jo Neal (’60), Fort Worth. Majoring in secondary education, she taught at Edison Preparatory School in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She served as a volunteer in her community of Verdigris, including president of the League of Women Voters of Oklahoma, the Northeast District Garden Club and the Oil Capitol Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians.

Darlene McNatt (’67), Argyle, a member of UNT’s Matthews Society, died Sept. 17. Fierce North Texas Athletics supporters, she and her husband, Al McNatt (’68), were principal donors in the naming of the Lovelace & McNatt Families Practice Facility. Darlene was a Kilgore Rangerette at Kilgore Junior College prior to transferring to UNT where she met Al. The couple wed in 1968 and, following her brief teaching career, raised two sons. She later volunteered as a hospice grief counselor.

Dr. Geraldine “Gerrie” Collins (’80 D.M.A.), Milton, Florida. She spent the bulk of her career as a professor of piano at Mississippi State University, where an endowed scholarship has been established in her honor.

Ralph Pace (‘59), McAllen. He was a U.S. Army and Korean War veteran who, after being honorably discharged, graduated with a business degree in production management. He worked in the packaging materials and equipment field for many years and in 1986 established Pace Packaging Materials and Equipment. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, Ginger, watching Dallas Cowboys games and movies, playing cards and vacationing at South Padre Island.

Mary Denny (’73), a member of the UNT System Board of Regents and a former state representative, died Sept. 14. She majored in education and mathematics and minored in chemistry at UNT, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She had served on the UNT Foundation Board and was appointed to the UNT System Board of Regents by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2018.

During a career focused on public service, she was precinct chair for Denton County for a decade and chairwoman of the Denton County Republican Party from 1983 to 1991. Gov. William P. Clements appointed her to the Texas Committee for the Humanities in 1990. In 1993, she was elected to the Texas House of Representatives and served seven consecutive terms.

A recipient of the Outstanding Texas Legislator Award and Common Cause's 1995 Star of Service Award, she volunteered with numerous community organizations. She was a member of the Denton Benefit League, United Way, Arts Council, City Federation of Women's Clubs and the Current Century Department of Ariel Club. She was a lifetime member of the UNT President's Council, and she also was a board member of the YMCA and numerous other civic associations. 

Memorial donations may be made to The Honorable Mary Craver Denny Scholarship Fund, which supports UNT students in need.