Lady Patricia K. Birkey (Pat), 84, of LaSalle, IL, passed away on October 27, 2025, in hospice care in Peru, IL.

Pat was born on September 18th, 1941, in Rochelle, IL, to J. Willard and Doris (Braddy) Janes.  She was a graduate of Mendota High School.  She attended one year at Northern Illinois University before marrying Harold Birkey in 1960.  After their divorce, she raised their two young children and worked as a secretary for several years.

Pat enjoyed traveling with her family, including a week in Ireland and a few weeks in Australia with her daughter during the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.  She was an avid reader, and her extensive collection is being donated to the LaSalle Public Library.

Pat is survived by two children: John (Raven) Birkey of Green Valley Lake, CA, and Liz Birkey of Peoria, IL; two granddaughters: Kelli (Tom) Faerber of Clarksville, TN, and Nikki (John) Eickholt of Fairbanks, AK; and three great-grandchildren, including Seth and Emily Eickholt of Fairbanks, AK.  She is also survived by her long-time companion, Dennis Dimond of Peru, IL.

Pat's family would like to thank the following groups:

- Her OSF Hospice team for their excellent support in making her last days more comfortable.

- LaSalle Manor staff for providing a place to call home for 45 years.

- The Alcoholics Anonymous community for helping her get clean and sober in 1987 and stay that way one day at a time.  May her example be an encouragement to others that it is possible.

Pat asked that there not be a formal funeral service.  Instead, there will be an informal public gathering at the grave site for the burial of her urn on Tuesday, November 4th, at 2 p.m. on the north side of the Restland Cemetery in Mendota, IL.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Illinois Valley Food Pantry: https://ivfoodpantry.com.  Please visit https://www.horner-merritt.com/ to sign the online guestbook.