Submitted by: Dan Rich

Patricia Helen DeLaurelle

March 7, 1928 -- September 23, 2006

South Bend Tribune 9/26/2006

Patricia Helen DeLaurelle, 78, of Mishawaka, died Saturday evening, September 23, 2006, after a brave battle with cancer. She was a loving mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend to many loved ones left behind. Cancer has taken her physical life, but she lives on in her heavenly home where she can be with her husband Eddie who preceded her in death on November 15, 1995, along with her brothers, George and Richard Cortier. Pat was born in South Bend on March 7, 1928, to Alphonse and Helen (Zdankus) Cortier. She lived her adult life in Mishawaka and was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Pat's surviving family includes her two sons, Tom (Debbie) DeLaurelle and Bruce (Darlene) DeLaurelle of Mishawaka; four grandchildren, Tracy (Joe) Gennicks of Granger, Jason (Rhonda) DeLaurelle of Mishawaka, Joshua (Amy) DeLaurelle of Osceola, and JoLynn DeLaurelle of Mishawaka; five great-grandchildren, Corinne and Nathen Gennicks, Austin DeLaurelle, and Joshua and Siyara DeLaurelle; two sisters-in-law, Wanda Cortier of New Carlisle and Delores DeLaurelle of Mishawaka; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Pat retired from Penn Harrison Madison Schools in 2003 after 30 years as a popular and much-loved bus driver. She spent over 40 summers on Bankson Lake in Lawton, Michigan playing host to gatherings of family and friends and enjoyed the sun, boating, card games and dinners at Big T's. In recent years she spent her winters at Raintree Park in North Fort Myers, Florida and enjoyed playing in the kazoo band, taking day trips with friends and soaking up the sun. She leaves behind many dear friends in both places.

Pat will be remembered for her strong faith, loyalty to family, sense of humor, and fun-loving personality. She was one-of-a-kind and will be missed tremendously by all who knew her.

Pat's family is grateful to all of the people at Hospice House for the compassionate, respectful, and loving care they gave Pat during her last days. You are God's angels on earth.

Friends are invited to join Pat's family for a Memorial Mass which will be celebrated on Thursday at10:00 am in St. Joseph Catholic Church, 225 S. Mill Street, Mishawaka with Rev. Terry Fisher officiating. There is no public visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. or to St. Joseph Church.