Patricia Marie Blackburn, 56, passed away Friday, January 23 in her home surrounded by her family after a courageous 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Brent; her son, Kyle of Westminster, Colorado; her daughter, Gretchen Blackburn Sparling, son-in-law, Jonathan and grandson, Tanner, of Carrollton, Texas; her two brothers, Richard Warner of Seneca, S.C., and Bill and Mel Warner of Anderson, S.C.; sister, Laurie and Greg Joplin of Newton, N.C.; mother-in-law, Pat Blackburn of Columbus, Indiana; sisters-in-law, Sherry and John Bala of Vancouver, Washington, Melanie and Wayne Meyer of Columbus, Indiana, and Tracie and Richard Hawes of Columbus, Indiana; as well as several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sylvan and Shirley Warner; grandmother, Elizabeth Noleen; and sister-in-law, Wanda Warner.
Pat dedicated her 33-year career to laboratory science, spending the last 11 years working as lab manager at Texas Oncology in Plano, Texas. During her time in the lab, Pat worked closely with patients fighting their own battles against cancer, and these relationships -- as well as the tremendous support of her coworkers -- helped give her strength during her own treatments.
Outside of work, Pat lived a life rich in family, friends and time spent together in the great outdoors. Whether she was hiking a dusty trail in Sedona, exploring the rocky top of one of Colorado's 14ers or marveling in many scenic views, Pat had a deep appreciation of nature.
A celebration of Pat's life will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, January 31 in the chapel at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. The family will receive friends during a visitation one hour prior to the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a contribution in Pat's name to the following organizations dedicated to pancreatic cancer research: The Lustgarten Foundation and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.