Patricia Ann Ducharme

In Loving Memory of Patricia Durcharme

A Life Devoted to Family, Friendship, and Service to Others

Patricia Ann Ducharme, 74, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2025. She was surrounded, as always, by her loving family. Patricia was born on April 21, 1951, to the late Vernon Lester Clarke and Frances Ann Anderson (Manford Anderson) in Washington DC.

Patricia will be remembered as a strong, intelligent, vibrant, and compassionate woman with an extraordinary gift to care for and about others. Her warmth and kindness left an indelible mark on everyone.

Her professional career was highlighted by a Data Management role with Intelsat. She served on a dedicated team of scientists and engineers that launched satellites into orbit. Her responsibilities even took her on international assignments. She also possessed an adventurous spirit, which led to many camping trips in the United States and Canada. Her favorite destination was Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Patricia embraced new experiences with enthusiasm, and her artistic creativity shone through in her many passions. She was a gifted writer, cook, gardener, seamstress, and quilter. As a member of the Bobbin Winders quilting club, she found joy not only in learning new quilting techniques and sharing knowledge, but in the fellowship of her "sisters".

Her love of cooking was legendary-she authored four cookbooks. She also enjoyed gardening and canning... finding happiness in nurturing both plants and people.

Patricia's life was filled with animals. Brittany, a golden retriever, and Bud and Winnie, poodles, enjoyed a special place in her heart. She also raised chickens, goats, sheep, and a donkey. She possessed a pioneering spirit, and she never shied away from uncertainty and experimentation.

One of her greatest gifts was her service to others. She provided extended care, at different times, for her husband, her mother, her sister, and her sons; always with limitless love and compassion. She also generously volunteered her time with Catholic Charities, The Salvation Army, and St. Mary's Catholic School.

Patricia also had a gift for bringing others together. She carried the torch of tradition within the family. And yet, above all, she will be remembered for the love, laughter, and light she brought into the world. She had a kind heart. She listened intentionally. You felt her warmth in her presence. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her.

Patricia is survived by her husband of 32 years, Serge Ducharme, her brother Michael (Virginia) Clarke, her children, Robert (Brenda) Thalls, Gary (Shannon) Thalls, Jeffrey (Staci) Ducharme, Marie-Claude (Sean) Ducharme-Keane, and Melanie Gravois; her grandchildren, Rachel (Parker) Campbell, Nick Thalls, Jordan Ducharme-Keane, Ryan Ducharme-Keane, Damien (Stephanie) Gravois and Parker Brown; one great-grandchild, Collins Campbell, as well as her nephew and nieces John Clarke, Carla Clarke, Christine Hauther, and Kathleen Hauther.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Catherine Ann Clarke Hauther.

Visitation will be on Sunday, November 23rd from 12:00pm to 2:00pm at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home in Columbus, IN. The service will begin at 2:00pm, but those not able to attend in person can do so virtually by clicking on the CLICK HERE link in her livestream at www.jewellrittman.com.

Patricia will be laid to rest at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, a small graveyard on their property in Hartsville, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to The Salvation Army. Their work has been especially meaningful in her life.

Patricia's remarkable life will continue to be celebrated by all those touched by her unending capacity to care for others and to "do the most good" possible.