Patricia Bodell

― Thomas Campbell.

Patricia Jean McCarthy-Bodell, 86, of Coral Springs, Florida, moved on to heaven Saturday, December 21st, 2019 at Broward Health North Hospital in Deerfield Beach, FL.

Pat was born on February 4th, 1933 in Galena, Illinois to Elmer "Ham" and Dorothy (Whippo) McCarthy. She spent most of her adult life in Galena concentrating on raising her five children before moving to Florida to be nearer to her daughters.

Pat loved creating a home for people to come to and she did just that in every place she lived. From the rural farmland of Illinois to the bustling towns of South Florida where she poured her life into her grandchildren and her greatgrandchildren. Pat led a life of strong devotion to her family, friends, church, and Lord. As a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Galena she taught Sunday School and for many years would coordinate the children’s Christmas program.

Naturally gifted in what seemed to be almost everything, she was especially adept cooking and baking. Granny, as many would affectionately come to call her, had away of loving you through a loaf of Banana Bread or a dozen chocolate chip cookies, which her secret to their exceptional perfection was the consistency of the batter. She loved her family fiercely and this was her way of expressing her pleasure towards them.

Pat loved to read, a gift that she carried with her throughout her nearly nine decades here. This gift was not just for her though, she enjoyed volunteering to read for “Story Hour” at the local library in her hometown of Galena. You see that was just the type of person she was; caring, kind, selfless, loyal, courageous, and the list could go on for miles. Her care for others took precedent over her own

needs and desires – for her, to give was to love.

Pat used the canvas of life to illuminate those around her. She was broad stroke with an eye for detail. She cared about all those who were her in path, daily, from the bag boy at the local grocer to minister in her local church. She stayed present in the moments and always seemed to be satisfied right where she was. The strength and beauty of Patricia can be seen in the fact that even up until her last day, she was planning on wrapping her Christmas presents for her much-loved family.

Patsy, well done on a life well lived. We look forward to meeting again soon. She is survived by her son, Paul (Jane) Bodell; daughters Lynn (Grantley) Austin, Debra (Ed) Holmes, Karin Bingham and Teri(Hunter) Jones; eleven grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren, her sister, Sharon "Bunny" McCarthy; namesake Patricia Kuhn and devoted nephew Brian Kuhn. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved grandson, Christopher Holmes, six brothers, Edward "Bitsy" McCarthy, Arnold "Art" McCarthy, Clifford "Sonny" McCarthy, David in infancy, Richard "Smokey" and Harold "Mickey"

McCarthy; three sisters, Barbara Ann Kuhn, Maureen and Sheila.

Private services held on December 28th.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Young Influencers Foundation. This organization has been established in honor of Patricia’s grandson, whom she now rejoices alongside in heaven.

Donate here: http://www.younginfluencersfoundation.com/support-us