Patricia Offenbacher

Patricia Patty Hand Offenbacher passed away on November 23, 2012 at her home. She was born to the late Major William A. Hand Sr. and Audrey Williamson Hand in Hot Springs, Arkansas on September 2, 1949. As an Army brat, she had the opportunity to live in many different locations, including South Carolina, Hawaii and Ohio, and finally settled in Baton Rouge 45 years ago. She had a lifelong love of learning, and attended Ohio State University and Louisiana State University where she majored in math. At this time in her life, she met Maurice Morey Offenbacher, who would become her devoted friend and husband. Patty had an amazing talent of creating beautiful quilts, and shared this gift by dedicating over 20 years to making and anonymously donating over 200 quilts to Quilts of Valor, the N.I.C.U., the American Heart Association, St. Jude Childrens Hospital, C.A.S.A., and other charities. She also made heirloom quilts for each family member and many friends. She was an active member of the Just Friends Sewing Circle, and enjoyed her time spent in the quilting community. She is survived by a wealth of family and friends who loved her greatly, including her husband of 44 years, Maurice Offenbacher her daughter, Desiree Peden, soninlaw, Trey grandson, Alex granddaughter, EmilyClaire sisters, Karen Bond and husband Lance, Beverly Ruiz and husband Sam, and Terri Serrata brothers, Tom Hand and wife Terri, Neal Hand, and Steve Hand sister in law, Virginia Hand brotherinlaw, Ray and wife Ann fatherinlaw, Robert Offenbacher 13 nieces and 17 nephews and numerous greatnieces and greatnephews. She was preceded in death by her father brother, Dr. William A. Hand, Jr. sister, Lora Barrientes and motherinlaw, Ruth Offenbacher. In lieu of a memorial service, Patty would ask that you honor her memory by donning your favorite LSU gear and voting for a Republican. Her family would also like to ask that you honor her by smiling through the pain, doting upon your children, tolerating someone difficult, making amends, being a better friend, and most importantly turning to someone you love right now, and telling them so. These are the qualities of which the world needs more.
Special thanks to: Lifelong friends Tom and Sandra Rogers who provided years of adventure, joy and hospitality, Close friend Robin Waller, who gave Patty comfort and the gift of laughter, Clovis Morrison and Dave Williams, who enabled us to give home health care, and Jay Evans and Kim Spillers with Amedisys Hospice for their kindness and compassion. Charitable contributions in her honor may be made to a veterans organization, such as Wounded Warriors, or an organization of your choosing.