The Contributors: Patricia Morse-McNeely

Patricia Morse-McNeely was born in Galveston, Texas, to Bleecker L. Morse Sr. and Annie Maud Pillow Morse. She graduated from Ball High School, attended Business College, then worked 22 years in the business field as a secretary. In the early ‘40s, she attended TWU and the University of Texas for 2 years. She returned to UT in 1970, graduated with a BS in Education in 1972, and did post-degree studies for teaching the handicapped. She attended UTSA in San Antonio from 1974 to 1981, taking an MA in teaching LLDs in 1976 and a second MA for Counseling/Sp. Ed. Counseling.

She retired in 2000 after 26 years of teaching and working as a Vocational Adjustment Coordinator (counseling). She continued her studies in writing at Dallas Community Colleges and Austin Community College, as well as a correspondence course from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

Patricia has written since early childhood and is both poet and writer. She has been published in newspapers, newsletters, church bulletin and some private publications. In 2008, she published a small collection of poetry, "THE INCONSTANT MOON." Patricia has won some prizes for her poetry, several honorable mentions, and is presently rewriting a youth novel she wrote in 1950.

Mrs. McNeely is the great-great-granddaughter of S. F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph and box camera. He was a famous American and also wrote several tracts, essays, and some poetry.

Patricia has been a prolific contributor to Fables for Japan, donating multiple stories and poem. Here are just a few examples of her work:

"Sunset" Appearing in Book 3

"Sha-Kee, The Golden Cat" Appearing in Book 2

"Biography of Love" Appearing in Book 1