Patt Mary Birling

In the early morning hours of December 14th Patt (Giffin) Birling surrounded by her family, tales of Winnie-the Pooh, and strains of the Salve Regina, took wing and flew through the stars to see her God.Patt was born July 9, 1948 at 2:50 PM and from that moment on, was never to be a morning person. Her parents were the late Dr. Walter Stuart Giffin and Helen M. (Ransom) Giffin.She will be remembered with love and respect by her husband and constant caregiver during the 20 months of her illness, Dave J. Birling. She has etched her wit and wisdom on the hearts of her children and their spouses, Jody L. Ryan and her husband Phillip, Michael D. Birling and his wife Amy and Jessica Bayer Potter and her husband Christopher. The stars that lit up Patts life were her grandchildren, Cameron, Abby and Casey Ryan and Ty and Alec Birling. Patt is survived by her big sister Barbara Hawkins-Mercer (Frank), two brothers, Michael (Vonnie) Giffin and Peter Giffin, her father-in-law, Ted Birling Sr., sisters-in-law, Joyce Kohanski, Carol (Terry) Schmidt, Peggy (Tom) Waskiewicz, Nancy (Tom) Pawlowski, Sue (Wayne) Roth, Cindy (Eugene) Moseng, Debbie (Dan) Derks and brothers-in-law, Ted Jr. (Judy) Birling, Lee (Amber) Birling, Paul (Pam) Birling, Tim (Ann) Birling and Terry (Brenda) Birling and friends as numerous as the stars.Meeting Patt at Heavens Gate will be her father and mother, Walter and Helen, two brothers, Michael S. and Michael J., a sister, Helen M., her mother-in-law Dorothy Birling, in-laws, Dick Kohanski, Peter Birling, Lorie Birling and, if Patts wish is granted, Amelia Earhart.Patts commitment to living out her faith was strengthened with her receiving the sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, and Matrimony at St. Mary Parish in Appleton. Patt was very active at the former Holy Name Parish in Kimberly and was instrumental in forming their first Home and School Association and serving as the first President. Patt dedicated her life to the Religious Education of children. She was a catechist, High School coordinator, youth director and most recently Director of Religious Education having served the former St. Peter parish of Oshkosh for 12 years and Most Blessed Sacrament and St. Jude the Apostle Parishes in Oshkosh until her death. After completing the formal Ministry Commissioning program for the Diocese of Green Bay, she was commissioned by Bishop Robert Banks in 1994 and went on to serve on the Diocesan Board of Education and as a mentor to new Religious Education catechists.Patts love of her children led her and Dave to share their home with more than sixty two foster children during a twelve year period. She was also a strong supporter of the Gods Child Project in Guatemala.Patt enjoyed challenges in particular becoming one of the first female judo instructors in the Valley and playing tough in the Kimberly womens softball league. Patt took flying lessons enabling her to become a pilot. She was an EAA member and on her 50th birthday, she flew in the British Airways Concorde.For Patt, life was a celebration. Parties were in order for the birthdays of Amelia Earhart and Mickey Mouse, and if there was an occasion, Patt was certain to have the proper goofy hat to celebrate in great style.You are invited to celebrate her early and eternal life by gathering on Monday evening December 17, 2007 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM in McKeough Hall in the lower church of the St. Peter site of Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, 435 High Ave. (Use the Pearl Street entrance). A prayer service will be led by Fr. Jim Jugenheimer at 7:30 PM.Visitation will resume at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish- St Peter site 435 High Ave. on Tuesday, December 18 from 10:00 AM until the liturgy at 12:00 PM. Fr. Dave Koch, a longtime friend of the family will Preside. Concelebrants will include Fr. Jim Jugenheimer, Fr. Tom Reynebeau, Fr. John Becker and Fr. Joel Sember.A private interment will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. (It was the closest cemetery Patt could find to the EAA grounds and the roar of airplanes overhead.)In lieu of flowers Patt requests that your memorials be made to the Gods Child Project, the Most Blessed Sacrament/ St Jude the Apostle Religious Education Programs or the P.A.T.T. Principle for brain cancer research.Patt miraculously survived glioblastoma brain tumors for 20 months. This could not have happened without the prayer of so many people and the expert medical care provided by Dr. Henry Friedman of Duke University and Dr. Theresa Cheng, Dr. Karen Greminger and all of the staff of the Michael D. Wachtel Cancer Center.

Most Blessed Sacrament- St Peter site



435 High Ave.
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Monday, December 17, 2007
4:00 to 8:00 PM 7:30 PM



Most Blessed Sacrament- St Peter site



435 High Ave.
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
10:00 AM to Noon



Most Blessed Sacrament- St Peter site



435 High Ave.
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Noon



Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery




Oshkosh
WI
54902