Pat Rushin

Patricia Lucille Rushin, 71, of Jackson passed away peacefully Sunday, July 17, 2016, at her daughter's home in Jackson, following a courageous four-plus year battle with cancer.

The oldest of five children, Pat was born Aug. 25, 1944, in Cape Girardeau to Vernon and Charlotte Walther Auer. She and Jack D. Rushin were married April 21, 1979. They had been married 24 years when Jack passed away Oct. 18, 2003.

Patricia attended St. Mary's Grade School and was a 1962 graduate of Notre Dame High School. She pursued an education and career in nursing, graduating from St. John's School of Nursing in 1965.

Her passion for helping and teaching others served her well in the nursing field as she worked in St. Louis, then down to Broward County Memorial Hospital in Florida before finally returning to her roots. She finished out her 50-year nursing career at Southeast Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center.

During her career, she staffed nearly every imaginable position, ranging from direct patient care, where everyone agreed her compassion and spirit shone through best, to education -- passing on her knowledge and technique to new generations of nurses -- to supervisory roles such as house and shift supervisor and the head of infection control.

As impressive as her nursing career was, it was her devotion and trust in the Catholic faith that made her such a remarkable person.

She was a member of Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson, serving many years as lector and Eucharistic minister and previously sitting on the parish council.

In November 1997, she helped start a Thursday-night rosary group that still meets weekly. She was also a member of the Saint Francis de Sales Prayer Group.

While Pat's remarkable faith and career would be more than fulfilling to most people, neither was her greatest joy. She reserved that special honor for her family. The love and affection she bestowed upon all of her children and grandchildren will forever affect them. Her gentle nature and caring soul shone through in all she did for them, and her passing leaves a huge hole in their lives.

Loving survivors include two sons, Dr. Jack "Duke" Rushin and his wife, Teresa, and children, Richard Jack "R.J." and Shelby of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Richard Rushin and his wife, Debby, and children, Rachael, Jill, Ben and Jackson of Jackson, and three daughters, Kathy Bierman and her husband, Doug, and daughter Lacy of Seymour, Indiana, Stephanie Jackson and her husband, Steve, and children, Elizabeth, Emily and Alex of Rolla, Missouri, and Kim Baker and her husband, Mark, and children Austin, Tori and Ryan of Jackson.

Also surviving are three siblings, Judy (Bob) Stricker of Cape Girardeau, Mary (the late Jim) Sturm of St. Louis and Andy (Gail) Auer of Cape Girardeau.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John Auer, and two nephews, Michael Stricker and Johnny Auer.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Immaculate Conception Church in Jackson. Deacon Walter Biri will lead parish prayers at 7 p.m, immediately followed by recitation of the rosary, led by her Thursday-night rosary group.

Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. David Hulshof officiating. Burial will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Immaculate Conception Building Fund or Birthright.

Arrangements by McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mccombsfuneralhome.com.