Patricia R. Keith

Pat is survived by her loving husband of 63 years, Col. (Ret.) Robert M. Keith, Jr. They were married in Wellington, KS on May 30, 1953.

Pat is lovingly remembered by her children: Karen Amato (Dan) of Leesburg, Va, Marshall Keith (Karen) of Gainesille, Va, Pamela McVicker (Dan) of Winston-Salem, NC, Michael Keith (Ginger) of Boca Raton, FL, and Scott Keith (Lisa) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and by her grandchildren: Christine Powers (Justin), John Amato (Lyndsay), Cameron Keith, Dan McVicker (Julie), Scott McVicker, McKenna Keith, Channing Keith, Tatum Keith, Kasey Bubb, Lauren Keith, Katie Keith, and Dylan Bubb; and by her great grandchildren: Avery Powers, Owen Powers and Gianna Krivanek; she is pre-deceased by mother Ruby Howkins, father James O. Howkins, sister Phyllis Schwegler and brother James Howkins.

Pat was born in Brooklyn, NY on October 22, 1933. She graduated from St. Edmunds H.S. and worked as a model in Las Vegas, NV and enjoyed spending time at The Crafty Lady’s craft shop in Titusville, FL.

Pat was an amazing woman who raised 5 children while husband Rob served one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam during a 27 year career in the USAF. She was a loving and loyal wife that was ever so supportive of Rob’s career. Pat enjoyed golfing at LaCita CC in Titusville, FL with friends and Rob. Pat enjoyed painting very much and she was a gifted water color artist.

Pat had a deep fondness and appreciation for the caring physicians and staff of the Lung Transplant unit at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Pat developed COPD, and her battle to breathe brought her to Mayo Clinic for the first time in 2003. While awaiting a lung transplant, Pat could be seen pulling an oxygen canister behind her on the golf course at LaCita. Pat received renewed life in September of 2005 when she received a right lung transplant. Pat lived, laughed, loved and survived for more than 10 years after her lung transplant. Pat and her loved ones will forever be grateful to the donor family who so preciously gave that gift of life. After a difficult year and a half of failing health, Pat left this life peacefully. May God take care of you Patty…Love, Rob.

A Memorial service will be held for Cypress Village residents and immediate family at Egret Hall, in Cypress Village, on July 7, 2016. The service will begin at 2:00pm with a reception immediately following.

The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am, July 8, 2016 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church. A reception will take place following the funeral mass in Our Lady Star of the Sea parish hall. Memorial donations may be made to Gabriel House of Care, 4599 Worrall Way, Jacksonville, FL 32224.