Patricia Ann "Patti" DeSchepper Obituary (1931 - 2013)

Patricia Ann Laesch Heffernan DeSchepper passed away peacefully June 26, 2013, at herhome in St. Petersburg, Florida, after her valiant fight with breast cancer, under the care of hospice. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God, and the love and prayers of family, friends, and many supporters carried her through.Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Holy Trinity Church, Bloomington. Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Cemetery in Normal. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Wednesday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, with a prayer service at 7 p.m.Patti was born November 22, 1931 in Bloomington, IL to Ralph and Dorothy Laesch, and attended school in Bloomington and the University of Illinois, Urbana IL, where she was a Chi Omega. Patti met her first husband John C. Heffernan, while lifeguarding at Anglers Lake. They married May 30, 1953 and had 4 children - John, Paula, Tom Mike -before John died November 8, 1960.She was introduced to Frank E. DeSchepper, a widower with 3 children - Rachel, Mark, Dee, in the fall of 1961. They were married June 9, 1962 and added 2 more children, Katie and Mary.After raising her children she provided day care, field trips birthday luncheons for many grandchildren. In addition she raised two grandchildren, Jenn Travis Heffernan.Frank preceded Patti in death on October 21, 2010.Patti Frank loved to travel, with and without the children. Many family trips across the country with 9 children were always an adventure. For many years they rented in Florida until they finally bought in St. Petersburg, FL in 1995. They remained Snowbirds until Franksdeath and Patti lived full-time in St. Petersburg.Patti attended daily Mass at Holy Trinity when she was in IL at Blessed Trinity in St. Petersburg FL. Possessing a true servants heart, she faithfully cared for family and friends through cooking, driving and assisting those in need. A woman of faith, Patti shaped her spirituality by her tireless Christian example, and also through various Catholic prayer groups and activities.With a real zest for life, Patti enjoyed bowling (with many perfect games), bridge, mahjong, reading, and loved to spend time with her girlfriends at Isla Del Sol Country Club. Her best friend, Yvonne Wilson, passed away just 11 days prior on June 15, 2013 and was dearly missed. Patti attended Florida Orchestra, Broadway shows, Restaurant Reviews, and cruised often with her friends. Writing classes at Eckerd College were another favorite-she was constantly learning growing her mind.Patti helped start daily H20 aerobicsin her condo association 14 years ago that group is still activetoday. Patti spent a few years in the real estate business, before she retired from that profession.Patti is survived by all 9 of her children-Rachel DeSchepper, Mark DeSchepper (Liz), John Heffernan, Dee Soper (Tony), Paula Parker (Greg), Tom Heffernan, Mike Heffernan (Tammy), Katie Fulghum (David), Mary Svensson (Jon), 18 grand-children 9 great-grandchildren.In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances toHoly Trinity Catholic Church, Bloomington, IL or a donation to the charity of your choice in her name.