Patricia "Pat" J. Blake

Dr. Patricia J. Blake (known as Pat), age 89, passed away May 12, 2019. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1930, the daughter of Oretta Adams Blake and Eugene James Blake. Her father died when she was very young placing much responsibility upon her mother to provide for her and her two brothers Don and Tom. Pat accepted a scholarship to enable her to obtain education at a catholic school and her education was sponsored by the convent Villa Maria in Villa Maria, Pa, known as the Humility of Mary. Pat entered the convent as most do out of high school with thoughts of serving the lord and so this became her chosen community beyond her biological family. Her religious name was “Sister Lucia”. She was the first in her convent to obtain a B.S.N. in Nursing.

After some 20 years of practice in the Warren, Ohio area, she left the chosen community to obtain an M.S.N. at Indiana University School of Nursing. She left the convent and became committed to educating nursing students at IU. Over subsequent years she was appointed the Assistant Dean of Nursing of the Baccalaureate Nursing Program. The school of nursing and her commitment to education and the faculty with whom she worked became her next chosen community and purpose in her life’s journey. During this time, she also completed her Ed.D of Education from Indiana University. She continued in her role for many years up to a time close to her retirement. Her service was recognized by the Chancellor Glenn W. Irwin Experience Excellence Recognition Award, a faculty proclamation recognition of her outstanding commitment and years of service, and she was recognized as one of 100 who had made outstanding contributions to Indiana University School of Nursing.

Pat established an additional chosen family with Bill and Maxine Shuba and their children when she first came to Indianapolis – and then with Debbie May, sister Sherri (Gary) and their daughter Katherine. After retirement, Pat continued to live with Debbie while simultaneously remaining devoted to her religion and parish. For a brief time, she participated in volunteer work including administering blessings to the sick in their homes and served the homeless at a downtown kitchen.

Pat had a great love of dogs. Her most recent and perhaps most beloved was Hannah. Pat liked to drive with Hannah riding shotgun every day to the McDonald’s for lunch in Zionsville followed by another stop to St. Alphonsus Liguori Roman Catholic Church to pray for those Pat loved and for whom she was concerned. Pat loved IU basketball games, the Indianapolis Colts, and loved spending time for many years at a family cottage on Cordry Lake.

Pat’s life changed quickly on March 23rd, 2019 when she fell with many complications. During her last days she was at Hoosier Village Health Center with loved ones surrounding and caring for her.

Pat was a kind and good person who maintained the values she embraced when she first went into the convent. She really never left. Her mission in life was caring about others and she will be missed. Pat’s local chosen family was Debbie May, sister Sherri Corbin (Gary) and their daughter Katherine. She is biologically survived by the children of her deceased brothers Don [i.e., Paul, Barbara Ann (Jeff) and Tom (Pam)] and her deceased brother Tom [i.e., Michael (Caron), Mary Ellen (Gary), and Patrick (Val)] respectively, and many great-nieces and nephews.  Viewing services will be held Monday, May 20th at 12 noon at St. Alphonsus Liguori Roman Catholic Church followed by a funeral mass at 1 PM. Her body will be cremated with placement at a later time. Donations can be made to the Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Rd, Huntley, IL 60142 https://www.animalhouseshelter.com or your favorite charity.