Patricia V. Bixby

Patricia V. Bixby, age 77, entered her heavenly home on Monday, August 28th, 2017 at St. Paul Elder Home in Kaukauna, WI with her family by her side.  

Pat was born on June 30th, 1940 in Chicago, IL.  She attended Sacred Heart School in Lombard and was a 1958 graduate of Glenbard West High School. She was an active member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Glendale Heights, and she worked for the Wheaton Daily Journal until it closed in 1992.  Pat then moved with her mother to her parent’s hometown of Doylestown, WI where she enjoyed being with her extended family and worshiping at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  Pat worked for American Family Insurance in Madison until she retired in 2007.  Pat faithfully cared for her mother, Viola (Sunde) Kirley, until Viola was called home in August 2011. In 2014 Pat moved from Doylestown to Appleton WI in order to be near her family during her golden years.  Shortly after Pat’s move to Appleton she was diagnosed with dementia.

Pat had many interests and hobbies, but none of them was more important to her than her faith. She loved to pick rocks and visit the mountains.  She enjoyed her trip to Alaska and generally loved the outdoors.  She loved to drive to see her friends and family and was always ready to offer a drink, a bag of chips, pretzels and dip, and a warm hug to anyone who might come to visit.  She was a hard worker who rarely sat still, and even became a bit of a runner in her final years, much to the chagrin of the staff at St. Paul.   

Even when dementia robbed Pat of much of her mind, she still found comfort and solace in her faith, spending much of her time in the chapel, still knowing that Jesus and his cross represented what was most important to her.  In her last week, she was able to express “ I have had a lot,” and she was right.  

Pat is survived by her sons Jeffrey Bixby of Fox River Grove, IL and his daughter Kira; Kenneth Bixby (Wendy) of Appleton, WI and their children Jonah, Molly and Lucy; brothers Norman Kirley (Denise) of Roswell, GA; John “Jack” Kirley (Elizabeth) of Carol Stream, IL.  Pat is further survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins and extended family.  She was preceded in death by her parents John B. and Viola (Sunde) Kirley and an infant brother, Joseph Kirley.  

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, September 2 at 12 Noon at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Doylestown with Father Garrett Kau presiding. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of services at the church. Lunch will be provided following the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to an organization of families’ choosing.

Mom, Grammie, Sister, Aunt, Cousin Friend:  words do not describe how much your smile, unconditional love, hugs, and zest for life will be missed.  We are grateful for the grace God has shown you by taking you to be with him for eternity. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

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