Patricia Therese Willett Jemley, 98, of Bardstown, died peacefully Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025, at Baptist Health Louisville after a short illness, surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, Frank Jemley Jr.; her parents, A. Lambert Willett and Mary C. Thompson Willett; and eight siblings.
She is survived by four sons; two daughters-in-law; and 11 grandchildren, Lambert of Seattle, Frank Jemley III and Heather of Louisville, Charles and Sherri of Nashville, Peter of Tacoma, Noah, Megan, Alyssa, Abigail, Liam, Luke, Hannah, Ava, Emmanuelle, Sam and Alexander.
She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, friend, caregiver, Catholic and American. She was a gifted storyteller and family reporter, keeping her immediate family plus 35 nieces and nephews and their families, all whom she adored, updated on the full range of family developments.
She was born in and lived most of her 98 years in Bardstown. She and her husband operated their retail shop, The Lamplighter, in the center of town for many years and were proud and active members within their community. Her world revolved around her beloved hometown, the Catholic faith she was born into there, and the many friends, relatives, and good people she found there and nearby.
One of her greatest joys was bringing people together, often by enjoying the traditions of southern cooking and one of Kentucky’s true gifts to the world, Bourbon whiskey. She authored three “Old Bardstown Bourbon Recipes” cookbooks in conjunction with her family’s Willett Distilling Company. Always generous in spirit and ever the collaborator, she made sure to recognize the contributions of her mother, her sister and her sisters-in-law in those bodies of works.
She was curious, inquisitive, well read and a life-long learner. She initially fed that curiosity as a graduate of Nazareth Academy and subsequently by earning her degree in fine arts from Webster University of St. Louis.
We hope she left this world content that she had made it a better place, because she did. She will be missed dearly by all whose lives she touched.
The Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown.
Visitation is 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, held prior to the funeral mass. A private burial will be held later at St. Joseph Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy and remembrance may include donations to Catholic Relief Services at www.crs.org.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
-30-