Patricia Maureen (Lynch) DeBacker

| March 15, 2011 10:00 PM

Feb. 4, 1924 - March 10, 2011

Residing in Coeur d'Alene, Pat peacefully left this world surrounded by four generations of her family.

Born in Heartwell, Neb., to Chester and Cecelia Lynch, she was raised in Hastings, Neb., where she first met her future husband, Richard L. DeBacker, at the age of 12. They married at St. Cecelia's Church on Sept. 4, 1946, and started their life together in Omaha, Neb. The family moved to Grand Island in 1955 where they lived until Dick's death in 2000 after 54 years of marriage.

Pat is survived by her children: Susie (George) Crump, Port Republic, Md.; Patrice (John Mike) Downey, Deer Lodge, Mont.; Jerry (Ellen) DeBacker, Bellingham, Wash.; Jan (Jim) Facciano, Bellingham; Donna (John) DeBacker, Grand Island, Neb.; Bill (Ann) DeBacker, Shoreview, Minn.; Dianne (Patrick) Sullivan, Coeur d'Alene; Laura (Tom) McAloon, Spokane, Wash.; Julie (Kelly) Wolfe, Lincoln, Neb.; and Joyce (Jack) Schmoll, Charlotte, N.C.; brother Dr. Joseph (Terri) Lynch, Omaha; 31 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She joins in heaven her husband, daughter Mary Miner and son John.

Pat was proud of her World War II work as a Navy bookkeeper in California. After raising 11 children, she began a new career teaching life skills to developmentally disabled adults at Mid-Nebraska Mental Retardation Services and continued lifetime relationships with many of her clients. Pat was an active member of St. Mary's Cathedral parish in Grand Island with her lifelong friends in the Altar Society, Christian Mothers, Bible study and bridge and enjoyed volunteering at Stuhr Museum's Prairie Town Mercantile. She continued her active church involvement at St. Pius X parish in Coeur d'Alene, and is loved by many parishioners as their "Grandma Patsy."

Pat celebrated her life in her Faith, her family, her friends new and old, with laughter, a grin and a twinkle in her Irish eyes.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2011, at St. Mary's Cathedral in Grand Island. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m Thursday, March 24, 2011; Rosary Vigil will be held at 7 p.m. at Curran Funeral Chapel.

Memorials to Grand Island Central Catholic High School. Online guest book at www.curranfuneralchapel.com.