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An Oxford resident at the time of her retirement, Oney grew up in West Virginia but did not begin her adult life as a law student. The eldest daughter of a physician, she earned her first degree in microbiology in 1965 from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s degree in bacteriology in 1970 from the University of Kentucky.
Oney began her legal career as an assistant public defender in Montgomery County, then moved on to private practice for 20 years in Butler County.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Rodney, a son and three grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions were requested in Oney’s name to to the World Wildlife Fund, support.worldwildlife.org.
Officials, judges and attorneys this week all cited her intelligence, fearlessness and barrelling laugh when remembering “Pat.”
Common Pleas Judge Greg Howard knew Oney when trying cases as a defense attorney in her court.
“She was a defense attorney who became as judge, so I have a special place for her,” Howard said with a smile.
“Every time I would stop by her office, she would make me sit down and say, ‘OK, tell me something funny, tell me what is going on with the bar association, I don’t know what is going on when I am sitting back here as a judge so tell me something funny as far as what is going on,’” Howard said.
Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens, who took the bench after Oney’s retirement, looks at her portrait daily on the wall of the courtroom that she occupied for many years.
It’s fitting. Stephens, a former county prosecutor, said he job shadowed Oney when he was a freshman in high school and before she was a judge.
“She actually did shape my decision to become a lawyer,” Stephens said. “Judge Oney was a trailblazer and a tremendous example both personally and professionally. She well be sorely missed.”
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County Commissioner Cindy Carpenter, who is the former clerk of courts, remembered Oney’s role in county politics.
“Judge Oney was a trailblazer in women’s politics in Butler County. I remember her first race when she walked across the county going door to door and wore out three pairs of tennis shoes,” Carpenter said.
Oney served as administrative judge when Carpenter was clerk of courts. Carpenter said they developed policies together.
“I thought so very much of her. When she retired, she gave me the name plate from her desk, which I still have in my office today,” Carpenter said.
County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser knew Oney as a defense attorney and judge.
“I first met her in trial as an assistant prosecutor and her as a public defender, where she excelled,” he said. “Later, I met her in court while she defended a local company in a complex products liability case where she showed a firm grasp of civil law.”
“Later, she took the bench in Area Court and finally common pleas court where she applied exceptional constitutional knowledge and compassion for those who came before her. For all those who had the good fortune to work with her, I can say with authority, she will be missed,” Gmoser said.
Defense attorneys Chris Pagan and Melynda Cook remembered Oney’s even temper and groundbreaking contributions.
“Judge Oney’s best feature was her first-class temperament,” Pagan said.
Cook said Oney’s accomplishments paved the way for attorneys to be recognized despite their gender.
“She broke through the male-only barrier in our county and set the bar high for female attorneys to follow,” Cook said. “She demonstrated to the once-male-dominated legal system that as women we’re just as intelligent, hard-working and able to represent even the most heinous offenders.”
Mary Swain, Clerk of Courts and longtime county employee, remembered Oney with more personal insight.
“She was an interesting, intelligent individual. She would share stories of unique things that she had done, or was doing, such as the time she spent as a dancer and raising peacocks. She was quirky, funny, smart, adventurous, and she will be missed,” Swain said.
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