Patricia Christina Desbiens

Our Mom, Mimi, and Bunny passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 12th surrounded by family and friends. Mom lived and loved life to the fullest. Her favorite times were her Thursday Lunch Bunch outings, special events at St. Louis Church (including Columbiette Meetings and the Festival for the Poor), playing Bingo at the American Legion Hall, and getting her hair and nails done.
Mom relished time spent with her family in February 2024, she was grateful to travel to Lakeland to meet her great-granddaughter Charlotte, and to see her baptized into the Catholic Faith. This was extremely meaningful for her, and months later she still talked and bragged about taking the train trip to witness that auspicious occasion.
Mom and our Dad, Bob, were married for 59 years when he passed away in December 2017.
In addition to Bob, Mom is predeceased by their son and our brother, John. She is survived by her daughters Bonnie Rionda and Betsy Ott (and her husband Paul); grandchildren Andrew (and his wife Dr. Nicole Jimenez Desbiens), Jacqueline Rionda, and Kayleigh Ott; great-granddaughter Charlotte Desbiens; sisters Peggy Greene and Katie Finn; and many beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins both in Ireland and the United States.
Mom also had an army of wonderful friends, and we are so grateful for their presence in her life. Her dedication to St. Louis Church and its various ministries brought her lifelong friendships with Rosalyn Condon, John Heim, Julie Kauffman, Denise and Robert Torricella, Mary Tyre Denmark and Jim Lowery, Paul Czekanski, and many more beloved friends. The last three and a half years have been extremely trying for Mom; please accept our sincere gratitude to all of you who helped her weather them with your prayers, laughter, and frequent check-ins.
Our Dad used to say You may walk into our home as a friend, but when you take a seat at our table you become family. Betsy and I are blessed with such friends, including Esther Jacobo and her children Nick (who is also Dads Godson), Dan, and Gabby (Betsys Goddaughter); Maryleah Hart Cabezas and her sons Jules (Betsys Godson) and Jace; Teri Lohman Ramos and her children Sarah (Betsy & Pauls flower girl), Brooke, and Steven; and Bonnies best friend, Dr. Jamie Huysman and his daughter Ariana.
We also want to thank Moms medical team for their compassion, caring, and amazing skills especially Dr. Jose Esquenazi, Dr. Cindy Mitch-Gomez, and Dr. Frantz Lerebours for his masterful reconstruction of Moms leg after her accident. Also not to be forgotten are the teams at Fresenius Kidney Care in Palmetto Bay and Perrine, who kept Mom laughing throughout dialysis, and all of the wonderful people who cared for Mom at Valor Homecare, Encompass Health Rehabilitation (where she was a frequent guest!), and St. Annes Nursing Center and Residence. Click here to view a webcast of the service on 4/26/2025 at 11:00 AM, Eastern Standard Time.