Patricia Rose Brandt

Peoria---Patricia Rose Brandt, 65, of Peoria passed away at 1:00 am on Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, while hospitalized. She was born Mar. 7, 1947 in Peoria to Robert W. and Mary L. (Cooper) Hurley. She married Michael E. Brandt on July 4, 1980 in Las Vegas, Nev. He survives. Patricia is also survived by her daughter, Wendy S. Moore of Peoria, and her son, Shawn M. (Kathleen) Moore of East Peoria and her grandchildren, Skyler J. Moore of Peoria Heights and Shennah M. Moore of East Peoria, and her step-grandchildren, Angela (Casey) Boulton of Norwood, Ill., and Sondra Tuckwell of Peoria and a step great grandson, Lucas of Norwood, Ill. Also surviving are her sisters, Saundra (Andy) Johnson of Lakewood, Col., Brenda (Bernie) Lee of Bartonville, and Kimberly (Tammy) Hurley-Burt of Muncie, Ind., and her brother Timothy (Barbara) Hurley of Knoxville, Ill. and her half-brother Gerald (Jackie) Cooper of Hanna City, Ill. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Patricia was a graduate of Manual High School, Illinois Central College, and Bradley University. She was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church in Peoria. Patricia was a loving mother and grandmother. She had a very vivid sense of the importance of her extended family; she loved family reunions, get-togethers, and class reunions. Christmas, Easter, and other holidays presented Patricia with the opportunity to meticulously decorate her home and host family and friends. There were many joyous gatherings especially at her home in Lake Longbow. She was employed throughout her life. She was a legal secretary for many years; employed by the Peoria County State’s Attorney, private law firms and attorneys, including working with her husband when he was in private practice. She later successfully pursued her life-long passion of teaching. She taught in various grade schools in the Peoria area most notably with St. Mark Catholic Grade School where she retired in 2010. Patricia loved working with children especially teaching science and reading. She worked hard at giving young science students “hands-on” projects so they would better grasp the scientific topics. Patricia was always available after hours to help a student in need. She expected hard work from her class but was apt to present a student with a special prize, rewarding achievement. Reading was a passion both at school and at home for Patricia. Upon retirement, she read at least a book a week interspersed with her Sudoku puzzles. Patricia loved to play Keno and Bingo, visit with friends, and travel with her husband, especially to Ft. Myers, Fla. Funeral mass will be at 10 am Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013 at St. Ann Catholic Church in Peoria, Father Terry Cassidy will officiate. Visitation will be Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013 from 5 to 7:00 pm at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria with a recitation of the rosary at 4:45pm. Additional visitation will be one-half hour prior to the funeral mass at the church.

Patricia Rose Brandt

March 7, 1947 - February 23, 2013