PATRICIA A. (PAT) MCKAY

Patricia "Pat" McKay, 85 of Devils Lake, ND passed away on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at the Palliative Care Unit of Sanford Health in Fargo, ND. Mass of the Resurrection for Pat will be held on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Devils Lake with Very Reverend C.F. Wilhelm celebrating the Mass. Pat will be laid to rest in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. and then at St. Joseph Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation on Wednesday will be at the church one hour prior to the funeral Mass. Patricia Alice, daughter of Lester and Rose (Parker) Brady was born on March 10, 1929 at Devils Lake, ND. She grew up in Crary and would later call Devils Lake her home for most of her life. She graduated from Mount St. Benedict's Academy (A Catholic High School) in Crookston, MN in 1947. She continued her education at Minot State Teacher's College. She began her teaching career at the Rohrville School and also taught at Crary Public School, St.Joe's School at Starkweather and at the Webster Elementary School. Pat was united in marriage to Robert McKay in August of 1951 at Crary, ND. They started their wonderful life together and created a beautiful family of 8 children. Now a busy wife and mother, Pat continued to teach but also continued her education. She graduated from UND, Grand Forks with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Center for Teaching and Learning. She was teaching during this time at the Fort Totten Elementary School and would continue there for 10 years. Again she advanced her education and received a Master of Science Degree in General Education Studies. For the next 20 years, Pat would be an instructor at Lake Region Junior College. She was the coordinator of the Learning Center, along with teaching Algebra and Introduction to Education courses. She semi-retired in 2001 but for the next three years she was a frequent substitute and part-time instructor at Lake Region State College. She was the honored recipient of the Bureau of the Interior Award while teaching at Fort Totten and while an instructor at Lake Region State College; she received the Vocational Teacher Award and was also Teacher of the Year. Pat was never too busy to be active in her children's lives, in the church and in the community. She taught CCD classes at St. Joseph School, was a troop leader for Brownies, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Altar Society, served as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector and was a former member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She also enjoyed membership in Phi Delta Kappa, ND Mathematics Teacher Association, ND Vocational Education Teacher Association, ND Education Association, Lake Region Faculty Association and the Adult Education Teacher Association. After retiring she was a frequent volunteer at the Devils Lake Elementary Schools. And if there was any spare time in Pat's busy life, she was reading books, spending time at numerous family gatherings and outings with friends and was out on the dance floor any chance she had. Pat counted each day as a blessing, each family member as her pride and joy and every student she encountered as the best and brightest. By example she taught us all to love, to pray and to be thankful for family and friends. Pat is survived by her children and their spouses, Carol and Rich Lybeck, Allen and Mary McKay all of Devils Lake, Joan Quick, Fargo, ND, Scott McKay, Denver, CO, Roberta and Michael Hall, Emily, MN, Craig and Julie McKay, Sioux Falls, SD, David McKay, Devils Lake and James and Laura McKay, Lake Villa, IL; fourteen grandchildren, Ken (Marleigh) and Jessica Lybeck; Lynn (Robb) Bigelow, Jennifer and Paul McKay; Scott and John Quick, Patty (Jason) Moses; Johnathan and Megan Hall and Amanda (Luke) Genz; Cassandra McKay; Alex and Malcolm McKay; eleven great grandchildren Grace, Noah, Isaiah and Samuel Bigelow, Brianna, Luke and Anna Quick, Kaylie and Brady Moses and Hailey and Grey Genz; sister Mary Owen Brady (Joseph) Livermore, Watertown, SD; brother Larry (Kay) Brady, Minneapolis MN; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert McKay on May 7, 2002; brother James Brady, son-in-law John Quick and brother-in-law, Albert Kiedrowski.