Patricia “Patti” Carol Birdwell-Gage, 76, passed away on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at her home in Santa Fe, Texas, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was born on May 23, 1949, and raised in Texas City, Texas.

Patti spent her career as a waitress and manager in the restaurant industry after graduating from Texas City High School in 1969. Having lived in both Texas and Louisiana, she married her high school friend, Virgil Gage, on January 28, 2013, and later moved back to Texas. Patti and Virgil shared their home with several cats whom she adored. Her hobbies included listening to music and participating in law enforcement ride-alongs as part of the Lafayette Police Department’s Ride-Along Program. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, she dedicated her life to her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Homer Jo and Bessie Merle Amos McConnell; her brothers, Robert Adair and Howard C. “Chip” McConnell; her sister, Donna Maxine Jones; her brother-in-law, Stephen Gage; and her step-grandchildren, Dylan McGhee and Liam Gage.

She is survived by her husband, Virgil Gage of Santa Fe, Texas; her sons, Neal Shannon Birdwell (Denise Nero) of Rayne, Louisiana, and Michael Sean Birdwell (Deborah) of Summerville, South Carolina; her brother, David Adair of Boulder, Colorado; her stepchildren, Michael Gage (Robbie) and Amber Gage Cermeno (Tim), both of Texas City; her grandchildren, Angelina Birdwell, Christian Birdwell, Camille Birdwell, Solon Gage, Nicholas Gage, Corbin Gage, Hanna Patterson, Billy Patterson, Tayva Cermeno, and Tim Cermeno Jr.; and her great-grandchildren, Antonio Romero, Maryjane Romero, and Nora Headrick.

She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Greg Gage (Kay) of Baytown, Texas; her sisters-in-law, Susan Gage of Crystal Beach, Texas, and Karen Gage Johnson (Jeff) of League City, Texas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer when all family members are able to attend.