When Pat Hodges was born in St. James, MO on St. Patrick's Day in 1940, her mother told her father: "You can name that child any name you want but she is going to be called Pat." He named her Evelyn Elizabeth after her family members and she was Pat ever after. Pat Ballantyne died peacefully in her home in Springfield the evening of Saturday, May 5, 2012. She is survived by husband, Edwin J Ballantyne, Jr.; son, David of Denver, CO; brother, Charles Hodges of Rolla, MO; and mother, Mabel Hodges, also of Rolla, MO. Pat was raised and attended school in Rolla, MO. She married Ed on September 19, 1959 in Rolla where he was attending Missouri School of Mines. Upon his graduation as a mining engineer, they moved to Palmerton, PA where they had David. After six years in Palmerton they moved to Melbourne, Vic. Australia where they lived for two years. That was followed by eight years in Mississauga, Ont. Canada, two years in Lisle, IL, nine years in Franktown, CO and ten years in Maryville, MO where Ed taught at Northwest Missouri State University. Since Ed traveled often while in mining exploration it was Pat's duty to look after all aspects of the household, which she did efficiently and effectively. Following Ed's retirement from NWMSU, they moved to Springfield in 1999. While in Mississauga, Pat attended night school at the University of Toronto and obtained a B.S. majoring in psychology. Pat loved animals, particularly cats and was an avid reader. Additionally, she loved flowers and had an impressive orchid collection. Informal visitation will be Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 12 to 1 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Private family burial will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, plant one. Any donations may be made to the charity of your choice.