Former Florida State Senator Patsy Ann Kurth died peacefully early Wednesday morning, April 27, 2011 at the Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne.

Patsy, who represented Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie counties from 1990 to 2000, suffered a stroke last week and never regained consciousness.

Patsy was preceded in death by her husband, Alan Fredrick Kurth, and her eldest daughter, Dawn Ann. She is survived by her daughters, Wendy Kurth Silver of New York, Martha Kurth Harbin of Tallahassee, and Sara Kurth Diaz of Malabar; and her grandchildren, Colette Rose Silver, Serena Dawn Silver, Foster Pierce Harbin IV, Martha Agnes Harbin, Victoria Lee Harbin, and Lucas Alan Diaz.

Patsy was born February 2, 1941 in Washington, MO, and moved with Al to Florida in 1960. She was a successful commercial Realtor before entering public service in 1990 when she ran for the Florida Senate.

Patsy was a leader in the Senate on issues impacting the most vulnerable in society, serving as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services and passing legislation that included creation of the Florida Healthy Families program and the Protect Wild Dolphins license plate to support the work of the Harbor Branch Marine Institute in Fort Pierce.

She suffered a debilitating stroke in 2005 that left her completely paralyzed on her left side. Despite her challenges, she maintained her sense of humor, her interest in local and national politics and her involvement in the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class at the First Methodist Church of Melbourne.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 110 East New Haven Avenue, Melbourne.

Patsy's request is that donations in her memory be made to Promise Inc., a planned housing complex for individuals with special needs. Contributions may be made through its website at www.promiseinbrevard.com or mailed to PO Box 100024, Palm Bay, FL 32910-0024.

Arrangements by South Brevard Funeral Home, Melbourne, 724-2222.

Share memories and sign the family guest book at www.affuneral.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by FloridaToday from Apr. 28 to Apr. 30, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Patsy Kurth

13 Entries

Stephen McCulloch

April 22, 2019

To all of Pasty's family and friends.... When God made Patsy Ann Kurth, I bet he didn't do anything else that day but just sit around and feel good! Keeping you and your loving husband AL in our thoughts and prayers... always!

Stephen McCulloch

May 27, 2011

To all of Pasty's family and friends.... Upon returning from an overseas effort to aid dolphin researchers in Taiwan, I was deeply saddened to learn the tragic news of Patsy's passing. So first, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathies and extend condolances to all of her wonderful children and grandchildren. Above all Patsy cherished her family and treated all of us as if we were family... as did her beloved husband Al, whom I sure was waiting with open arms to welcome her into the Kingdom of God.

I remember first meeting Patsy and Al, when I showed up and parked in their front yard on August 31st 1995 with a dolphin named "Bogie" in the back of a U-Haul truck. A day later on September 1st... I showed up again with Bogie's female counterpart "Bacall". Both were destined for a sea pen built on the Indian River lagoon barrier island (BC-38) that was just a stones throw from their dock. While Al helped load and carry the dolphins from the truck to their dock... Patsy watched and made sure everyone was OK and warm enough.

And from the moment we arrived and placed those two amazng dolphins in that seapen of their native waters were they were extracted from in 1988... Patsy and Al made them feel like family too. From the day we arrived to the day the project ended some 9 months later.... Patsy and Al were always there to support us and the dolphins including Thanksgiving when Al babysat the dolphins on the island, so we could all join Patsy and the Kurth family for a real sit down Turkey dinner. After living on an island in a tent for a few months... that's a Thanksgiving I'll never forget.

Then, when Florida's dolphins needed Patsy most, she was there again, this time in the Florida legislative arena to Sponsor and bring home the Protect Wild Dolphins specialty license plate as Senator Kurth. I'll never forget how poised and graceful she always was.... no matter the circumstances, she was cool, calm and confident. And 15 years and twenty million dollars later.... our dolphin research, conservation and education efforts continue.... leaving a lasting legacy that will ensure that dolphins will always have a future in Florida's waters.

I am very gratified that in 2006, Patsy could join us for an excursion into the Indian River Lagoon to take part in our ongoing health assessments of this resident population. From start to finish, she help catch, restrain, sample and comfort the dolphin throughout the physical examination... then, she felt it's heart beat and gave it a gentle push back to native waters as she helped return the dolphin to it's family. I still remember that day, and many others where Patsy made you feel like you were the only person in the room.

Patsy will be dearly missed.... but her legacy and memory will live on in her family, her community service and in all of us.... I am grateful to have known her as I continue to draw inspiration by her examples of service and compassion to others... thanks Patsy and Al for helping us, help others!

Again... with heartfelt symapthies to all that knew and loved Patsy.

Respectfully to all....

Steve McCulloch
Protect Wild Dolphins

April 30, 2011

Our sincere sympathies to you and your families at the loss of your mother, sister, grandmother and aunt.
Patsy was two years older and always much wiser than I was. We grew up less than a mile apart, were school mates at South Point School and rode the same green Chevy Suburban bus that Aunt Martha drove. Our Gephardt-Jones family reunions will certainly miss her presence as will so many others.
May God grant you His Spirit of peace at this time and always.
Norm & Janet Gephardt and family

Bobby Chenoweth

April 30, 2011

Patsy You will be missed so much by all your dolphin friends. Bobby Chenoweth, Indian River Dolphin Watch.

Penny Talbert

April 29, 2011

Heavenly Father, Bless Patsy's family as you embrace her within your arms. Deepen their faith in you and help them pour out their hearts to you. Bless them all with your healing Spirit and give them the peace and the assurance that you have restored her body and re-united her with her loved ones who have gone before her. In Jesus name we pray.

Our hearts feel your loss and we want you to know that we hold you all close in our prayers.

In Deepest Sympathy,
Penny (Whalen) Talbert, Barry Whalen and Phyllis Whalen

April 29, 2011

Deepest sympathy to the family and friends of a great lady who used her talents and influence to help the people of her community and state. Her support of community outreach programs changed lives for the better for individuals and their children. Her sense of humor and determination encouraged and inspired us all.

Climbing Sun

April 29, 2011

Fresh out of Gainesville, Al was my first office mate at Radiation Inc. in 1969. When I set up my beach bachelor pad, Patsy made curtains for all the windows. Though I migrated to California, they have both been friends for life. On every return visit, they opened their home to me. From ocean fishing expeditions in Al's temperamental boat to rendezvous with Patsy and Sara in restaurants these last years, there has been one constant in the Kurth family: generosity of spirit. Farewell my dear friend. May eternal light shine upon you.

stefani lobato

April 28, 2011

Patsy was a very special person and I am blessed that I knew her .. my thoughts and prayers are with the family.

April 28, 2011

Patsy Kurth was a very special person who used her great talents for the benefit of her family, her friends and world. It was such an honor to know Patsy and Al, be their friends, to share our grandchildren, and be in-laws with.
Peace, Love and Grace to all.
Betsy and Don Harbin

Nancy Taylor

April 28, 2011

What a special lady...I am honored to have known her, both personally and professionally She will be dearly missed by many....Nancy Taylor

Darlene Ryon

April 28, 2011

We have lost a very grand lady. I had the pleasure of being an Aide for Senator Kurth in the mid 90's and she was always a sterling example of what a government official should be. She changed my life and I am still in government today. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

joe glover

April 28, 2011

joey glover

Dorothy

April 28, 2011

To the family, thanks for sharing your mother and grandmother with us. She did a great job represtenting our counties.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results