Patsy Ann McCarthy was born on July 24th, 1940 in Peabody, Kansas to Orlo and Margie Bowen. She passed away on August 15, 2020. She was the eldest of 9 children, 2 brothers and 6 sisters. On December 23rd, 1958, she married LeRoy McCarthy Senior in Paloa, Kansas. Patsy had 5 children. Orla, LeRoy, Shelly, Gary, and Maria. She was a grandmother, a great grandmother, and a great great grandmother. Patsy was proceeded in death by her parents, her husband, her daughter Orla, and five of her nine siblings.

To make it clear, words can never do justice to tell the miraculous and extraordinary life of Patsy McCarthy.

In life, Patsy was first and foremost a mother and a woman of God. Growing up, she had helped raise her siblings and guide them through hardships. When she had children of her own, she raised them with love, kindness, faith, and compassion that helped shape them to who they are today. She then went further beyond the duties of a mother to help raise her grandchildren, as if her own children, with the same love, morals, and compassion.

Patsy had a lot of love to give and her compassion knew no bounds. As she moved across the country to different states and towns, she diligently taught children through pre-school and in classrooms as a teacher. She helped with education while working for Head Start and was even known to work in lunch rooms to feed students. She held a view that we should do whatever we can, while we can, to keep showing love and understanding to anyone that was in need.

Through the years, the impact on the lives of all her children, left them with fond memories and love for who she was. She was a woman of her faith and her study of the Bible played a large part in her life from a young age and throughout. She was a cook and a baker for anyone who was hungry. Her lefse and bread were unmatched among her peers, her holiday food in itself are lasting memories of the years together. Lasting memories that are far too many to share, but memories as unique as a flying boot. Memories of her and the time spent with her that will not be forgotten.

What can be said about the everyday things that Patsy enjoyed? Well, it can be said that she enjoyed reading different types of books. From Sci-fi and fantasy to romance, she would often have stacks of books that she'd eventually return to the library. Not necessarily on time. She enjoyed the sci-fi channel, often watching the strange or scary movies that they would air. She'd enjoy them all the same. What she would like the most, though, would be cops. She could never get enough of cops and would watch them almost daily.

Patsy was unique, as each of us are, but her uniqueness would light sparks in those around her. Her vibrant personality mixed well with her sweet, ornery, self. Add that with her great sense of humor and it made for bright days. She was always someone you could go to, a shoulder to lay your head on, that would take your pain and replace it with warmth. With security and the feeling that everything would be alright.

At the end of the day, Patsy taught us each lessons about life. She taught us that our life, and the lives of the people we let in, has meaning. She taught us lessons on how to handle whatever challenges we might face in life. That the memories and life lessons she shared would be enough to help us to continue making this life special and meaningful in our own way. She taught us to strive to be truthful in our actions and stand on the ground of morality that she set before us. She showed the people around her that a little understanding and compassion can make a difference. It's with these lessons that we pass on generation to generation, and the memories we shared, that shows that she will always be with us.