Patricia Ann Blessinger left us April 2, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. Pat was a beacon of love, faith, and strength, whose life was marked by her unwavering dedication to her family and her deep religious faith.
She was born in Jasper Indiana on January 22, 1934, to Bernadette Baunach and Carl Lechner. She married Richard Lee Blessinger on May 7, 1954, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. They moved to Chicago, IL, then Sarasota, FL, where they enjoyed family, careers, and lifelong friendships.
Throughout her life, Pat was an active member of the Incarnation Catholic Church. She found solace and strength in her faith and contributed significantly to the church community. Her roles included providing religious education to children, serving as a Eucharistic minister, chairing the Legion of Mary, and visiting the sick and homebound.
When her daughter started school, she became active as a volunteer at her school and served on the board of the Parent Teacher Association and started a Girl Scout Troop.
In her career, Pat held various positions including serving as a secretary for a local business, working for NCR, managing food services for a private school in Sarasota, and later working as a caregiver for a local in-home nursing service.
Upon retirement together they built a home in Maggie Valley NC where friends were invited to gather and enjoy the beauty of the area. Pat became a volunteer with the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce as “Miss Maggie” helping promote Maggie Valley through her interactions with locals and visitors and special events.
Pat and Rich valued most the time spent with family and with friends where Pat’s laughter would brighten the room. Their hospitality ensured that there was always space for everyone at the table. Enjoyed popular Sarasota locations, BBQs in their backyard that were filled with games, music, and dance, creating joyful memories.
Following the passing of her husband, Rich, in 1999, her family and faith became the foundation of her resilience, guiding her through this challenging time. She connected with friends and initiated a social organization for women, establishing the Sarasota chapter of The Red Hat Society.
She is survived by daughter Regina and her husband Terry Osborn, granddaughter Leigh Tesar (Mike), grandchildren Taryn Rechenbach (Buck), Brent Osborn, great-grandchildren Trenton and Chase Tesar, Liam and Oscar Rechenbach, Riley, William, Jessica and Tyler Osborn, brother Jim Lechner (LaVerne) who will forever carry her memory in their hearts. Pat’s legacy of love, faith, and resilience will continue to shine through the lives she touched. Patricia was predeceased by her husband Rich, her parents Carl and Bernadette and dear brother George Lechner.
A memorial mass will be held at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2929 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239. A private committal service will be held at a later time in Sarasota National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Charity/Organization, or a cause close to Pat’s heart.
The family expresses their sincere gratitude to the nurses, doctors, and staff for their exceptional care, compassion, and tenderness provided to Pat and her family. This appreciation extends to Aravilla, Tidewell Hospice, and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Pat’s spirit will live on in the love and memories she left behind. She will be dearly missed by all who know her.
Her love and faith will forever guide us.
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