Debra Lynn Patrick

PATRICK (Howard), Debra L. of Dayton, Age 59 departed this life on Friday 9/27/19 after a brief illness. She was born in Dayton, Ohio on 10/4/1959. She is the daughter of Hargus and Judi Howard.

Debbie was married to William M Patrick Jr. on 9/24/1983 and was the love of his life, sharing a long and happy marriage. She graduated from Carroll High School & University of Cincinnati. She was a trained dental hygienist and became a licensed Realtor and her Husband's business partner. She was invaluable in the management of their two companies but her true love was her family and friends. Debbie loved to make people laugh, enjoyed stuffing them with her famous chocolate chip cookies and gave presents freely. She was always the spirit of Christmas, charitable, caring & selfless. She was heart-broken by the death of her Mother, Judi who passed on 8/27/19.

She is survived by her husband Bill; Father Hargus Howard; Sister Julie (Moe) Garcia; Brother Chris (Mica) Howard; Honorary Sister Kathy Emrick; Sister In-Law Toni (Ron) Benz and beloved Nephews & Nieces Christopher (Katie) Howard, Amy (Brad, Lexi & Becca) Buzzell, Megan & Morgan Howard, numerous loving Aunts, Uncles & Cousins, and honorary Nephews & Nieces; Beau Nickley, Leah Adkins, Max, Vincent, Luigi, Frank Carone & Danielle Cornelisse and life-long friends Cindy (Scott) Logan, Gail (Max) Carone & Denise (Frank) Carone, Pam Magnus, Jeanine Blatt and others that she loved so dearly.

A graveside prayer service will be held Thursday, October 10th @ 11:00 AM at Calvary Cemetery.

Following the service, at 12 Noon, a Celebration of Debbie's Life will be held at the Dayton Masonic Center, 525 W Riverview Ave., Dayton, OH 45405



To my Deb:
In 37 years I have written you 1 song and this the last of 3 letters.
Why I married you
How can one moment in time
be more breathtaking than the setting sun?
Or diamond tipped waves dulled by your silhouette?
How could that be?

Your auburn hair floated on the breeze and tugged at my heart,
like a whispered endearment.

That smile… the one you reserved for me alone.
Your small hand in my pocket warmed my heart
How could that be?

Those brown eyes sparkled with life, fun and compassion
giving challenge to the brightest stars in heaven.
Your innocent, but devilish… worldly yet angelic gaze
always shook me to my core.

It ignited an enduring ache that I could not suppress or hide.
How could that be?

You invaded my heart and held me hostage
in a way that I never wanted to escape

In one moment,
your essence permeated into my very existence,
bringing a mist to these hardened eyes
accomplished without a word escaping your lips.
How could that be?
But yet it was
because I found you totally remarkable.

I remember the exact moment 37 years ago
as I watched you standing there
I realized as sure as the air I breathed
that my life was then yours.
I belonged to you.


Only death itself could pry me from your side.
Wherever you are, I want to be, always.

How do you tell someone that?

To say that I loved you and adored you fell pitifully short
when you could render the ocean silent,
out dazzle the stars and out shine the setting sun.

So I returned that smile,
the one that I reserved for you alone.
And prayed to God that each day
I could show you what mere words could not adequately express.

For each new kiss a blessing,
your every touch a sacrament
and those moments in time an eternity.
But for now It will have to do…
Oh how can that be?
You are and will always be the love of my life
Now & Forever
Your Husband,
Wills