Patricia Ann Bickel

Patricia Ann Bickel (Burnett), so fittingly and lovingly known as “Patty Ann” to friends and family, passed away in her home on April 2, 2018 in the presence of those who loved her dearly. Patricia was an extraordinary woman and more specifically a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, teacher, and role model to those with whom she crossed paths. Whether she stayed in your life years, months, or even seconds, it can be sure that her presence touched your heart in some way. Patty had a way about her that would fill the room with light, laughter and warmth. Rarely was she the loudest in the room, but always the brightest and most comforting light for those around her—a light that will continue to shine through those lives she has touched.

Patricia was born on October 18, 1933 in Terre Haute, Indiana—a place that always stayed close to her heart. Growing up, Patty didn’t have a traditional family to lean on. Raised by the nuns at St. Vincent’s Orphanage in Vincennes, Indiana, Patty learned to navigate through this world with a compass guided by her devout faith in the Lord. It was here where she found her inner strength, grit and the resilience that shaped her into the courageous and brilliant woman the world was blessed to know. She was awarded a high school scholarship to Oldenburg Academy in Oldenburg, Indiana. During her time at St. Vincent’s and Oldenburg, Patty discovered her love for education and her competitive nature, which resulted in a full scholarship to Marian University, where she majored in English. Her education came first, but Patty always found time to enjoy life. She was a beer drinker, a fashionista, an amazing dancer.

She had a magnetic presence that people gravitated towards—some people never left. Married at the age of 27 to her husband James Bickel, Patty began a family of her own while working as a school teacher—a passion she never let pass.

Patty Ann lived a full and beautiful life characterized by her faith - sewn together with love, strength and beauty. Extraordinary is a word that barely scratches the surface who Patty Ann truly is and will always be. Those who knew her, knew how strong her zest for life was—even in her last days. If she wasn’t dancing with her husband, talking with her granddaughters over their favorite meal, breakfast, you could find her getting lost in an old western film or novel. Her favorite times were those during family vacations, birthdays with each of her special granddaughters, and time with her boys.

Patty is and was a true blessing to this earth. She’s living proof that no matter what circumstances you are born into you can live a wonderful life. Life for her family will be drastically changed but they know that Patty Ann, an angel on Earth, has finally gained her wings. And that is something that will never change.

Preceded in death by her equally as extraordinary brother, Robert Burnett, and four beloved dogs, Suki, Chelsea, Sugar, and Bailey, with whom she is now reunited.

Survived by her beloved husband, James Bickel, two sons, Jimmy (fiancé Tracy) and Matthew (Angi), four granddaughters, Brittni, Sydney, Megan, and Mackenzie Ann, and a string of loved ones from coast to coast.

Visitation will be at Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 754 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach on Friday, April 13th at 6:30-8:30pm. Celebration of Life will be held at St. Clare Catholic Church, 821 Prosperity Farms Road, North Palm Beach on Saturday April 14th at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Patricia Ann Bickel Scholarship Fund set up to help those with difficult circumstances to attend St Clare Catholic School. Checks can be made to St. Clare Catholic School with a reference to the Patricia Ann Bickel Scholarship Fund in the memo section and mailed to:

Patricia Ann Bickel Scholarship Fund

St. Clare Catholic School

821 Prosperity Farms Rd

North Palm Beach, FL 33408