Patricia Lee Bess peacefully passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at home in Batesville, Indiana. She was 67 years old. The daughter of Jack and Mary (Ante) Bridges was born on March 11, 1956 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Patricia was an amazing wife, mom, nana and friend. She was a lover of the sun and moon – she even had tattoos of them. Halloween was her favorite holiday and red her favorite color, though she loved the yellow lilies. Most of all though, she cherished the time spent with her grandkids. Whether it was picking them up from school, taking them shopping, going out to eat or taking walks with them to pick flowers along the way. Her grandchildren will always remember her playing board games, letting them do makeovers on her, dance parties, the scent of fresh flowers and vanilla when they laid next to her, plus her comforting hugs and unconditional love.
After she stopped working at Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati, she was able to enjoy life more and attend her grandkids events. She went to everything, including out of town dance competitions, football playoffs, early morning soccer games, and swim meets, just to be in the moment and enjoy them.
Patricia was honest, warm and easy to talk to. The type of listener that would make you know that she truly cared. The sweet kind of lady that felt like a breath of fresh air. just to know her. She made people feel welcome and loved. She knew how to make anyone feel better like she had a gift that no one could describe.
Her smile brightened a room, her presence filled us with warmth, she was so close to her family, the backbone of it all. Patricia’s internal strength was incredible. She would never shed a tear in front of anyone, because she wanted to be that shoulder to cry on and to comfort others. Since the time she was diagnosed she was in pain, but you would not know, because she was fighting for her family to be strong. Even though she physically hurt, she emotionally was still there for each of us, and never once made it about her. Patricia was the most real, strong and brave woman we knew.
Her dream was to move into a small house in the country and to travel after her husband retired. She was able to accomplish half of that. Even though her life was cut short, the life she lived, ‘simple yet fun’, while touching the heart of so many, was exactly the way she wanted it. Patricia didn’t need much; objects and things were not of value to her. The only thing that mattered was being with her family and spending time with each of us. That was her happiness. She was amazing and she will be missed, leaving a void within us, but a memory that will live eternally.
She will be dearly missed by her husband, Michael; son, Derek (Ginel) Bess; daughter, Dana Metz; six grandchildren, Kayla Metz, Brayden Metz, Carly Metz, Leah Metz, Declan Bess and Weston Bess; along with her brother Michael (Connie) Bridges, Jacque (Michael) Kelly and sister Janice (Eddie) Whaley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Teri Gilland.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 11, 2023 starting at 2:00pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 624 Delaware Rd., Batesville, IN 47006.
Memorial contributions may be given to Margaret Mary Cancer Center (Hansen Center) by bringing to services or mailing to Meyers Funeral Home, P.O. Box 202, Batesville, IN 47006.
Please feel free to leave a memory or a message of comfort for Patricia’s family in the online guestbook at www.meyersfuneralhomes.com.