Patricia Adeline Hayse Kessinger

Patricia Adeline Hayse Kessinger, known to most as Ms. Patt, was born November 5th, 1954 in Hartford, Kentucky to Vina Hayse and the Late Jerry Hayse. She departed us peacefully on May 14th at her home in Robards, Kentucky surrounded by family and friends She was preceded in her passing by her father Jerry, sister Phyllis, brother Eric and first husband Donnie Miller. She is survived by mother Vina: her siblings Larry, Barry, Terry and Michael: her husband Robert; daughters Sylvia, Misty and Sonya; Sons Rob, Ken, and Nathan: 5 Grandchildren and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. At a very early age she helped her mother take care of her younger siblings. This would correlate into her love of helping and teaching children as an adult. Ms. Patt was always fun. For herself, her children, friends and family, everything she did was full-force. She always thought about others, and how they could enjoy life. She worked most recently for Henderson County School System at Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, teaching young people her love of learning. Her coworkers were considered to be a second family to her and throughout her fight the past seven months were overwhelmingly supportive and selflessly giving. Whether Ms. Patt was doing a science project wearing her funny Science Hat, dressing up to entertain the students or going above and beyond her duties as a teacher, she always had an outside-of-the-box approach to any task. Her compassion to cultivate life was evident in her love for gardening, as she had received her Master Gardening Certification from the University of Kentucky. The patience of gardening was reflected in her commitment to teaching. It took love and endurance and a strong look into the future, all of which Ms. Patt possessed. The “Live your Dash” poem by Linda Ellis was something Ms. Patt adhered to throughout her life. The poem explained the dash-the space on one’s tombstone that comes between the beginning and end, birth and death. The dash represents time spent on earth. While this motto was evident in the last seven months, Ms. Patt lived her dash her whole life. Her family members and friends remember her vibrant personality. She would dress up like a clown to sell pizzas, like a scuba diver to sell World Books. She would devise silly games during Camp Take-A-With-A- the family’s take on a yearly gathering. Ms. Patt was determined to wring out every bit of her dash that she could. She wasn’t going to be sad or angry about her diagnosis. She was going to use it as an opportunity to educate and teach acceptance. Her mission was simple: use her moments wisely to make the best of a bad situation. Right the wrongs. Spread love. Ms. Patt would understand our grief in her passing, but she would want us to push forward. Be happy. Call our mommas to say we love them. Eat fresh strawberries from the garden. Feel the power of life, love, laughter. Not be afraid to make a mistake. Understand the importance of forgiveness. Have faith, and share it’s wealth. To live our dash. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to: Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, 631 North Green Street, Henderson, KY 42420 Relatives and friends are invited to Patricia’s Life Celebration from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Monday, May 18, 2015 at Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, Henderson, Kentucky. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentonglunt.com

Patricia Adeline Hayse Kessinger

November 5, 1954 - May 14, 2015