BURTCH, Patricia Helen

Patricia Helen Burtch died on Monday, January 16, 2012, after a valiant battle with chronic lung disease. Pat was born in Denver, Colorado, on February 11, 1934. She graduated from the University of Arizona in 1956 and Northern Arizona University in 1972. Pat taught school for 35 years; 27 were spent at Palmcroft Elementary school. Pat loved her Lord, family, teaching and genealogy. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Assistance League, Beta Sigma Phi, PEO, the Genealogical Society, DAR, the Daughters of St Jude, and Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lyman and Helen Burtch. She is survived by her brothers and sisters, Jane Kelley and Marilynn Orman of Yuma, Charles Burtch and his wife Robbie of San Angelo, Texas, and Michael Burtch of Turlock, California. She has numerous nieces and nephews. They will miss her smile and generous heart. Her friends are invited to join her family in celebrating her life on Friday, January 20, 2012, at the First United Methodist Church, 298 W 3rd Street at 3:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, Pat has asked that donations be made to the PEO scholarship fund, Assistance League, or a charity of your choice . Published in The Yuma Sun on January 18, 2012