Patricia Ann Risch

Patricia Ann Risch, 66, unexpectedly passed away Thursday, July 17, 2008 at her home in Biloxi, MS. She was born in Cripple Creek, Colorado on March 17, 1942. She was the only child of Eno Leslie DeWerff and Loretta Lorean (LaMontagne) DeWerff. Pat Risch was raised in Victor, Colorado, graduated from high school in Boulder, CO. She began a life-long commitment to education at Otero Junior College, La Junta, CO, graduating with a degree in nursing. During her lifetime she earned numerous degrees including a Bachelors in Literature an MBA and a Masters in Nursing. A registered nurse for over 40 years, Ms. Risch worked in numerous hospitals in the U.S. and other countries including Japan, Vietnam, Thibodaux, LA; Slidell, LA; Montgomery, AL; Seattle, WA., Boone, NC. and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. She was passionate about caring for others and was well known for her generous, compassionate nature. Family, to her, was a big quilt made up of many different people held together by love. She showed by the way she lived that all people deserved unconditional love. She recently moved from her home in Montgomery AL, to Biloxi, MS. She is survived by four children, Pat (Steve) Ptolemy, La Junta, Colo.; Peggy (Keith) Broussard, Biloxi, Miss.; Bob (Beth) Risch, Savannah, Georgia; and Greg (Benita) Risch, Helena, AL; grandchildren, Erik and Megan Broussard; Dustin, Katie, Chris and Shayla Ptolemy; Kelly, Jake, Susan and Ellen Risch; and Chloe and Sydney Risch. Also surviving is step brother, Bob Moran, of Phildelphia, New York. She is preceded in death by her parents; step father Wayne Stanley and son Jim Risch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:00 p.m., July 21, 2008, at Nativity B.V.M. Catholic Cathedral in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will be in Victor, Colorado at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Tribute Department, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.stjudetributes.org under Patricia Ann Risch. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi, is in charge of arrangements.