Chaplain Patricia "Pat" Lou Dew, 83, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Monday, January 22, 2024, at Baptist Health Deaconess in Madisonville.

She was born on July 13, 1940, in Youngstown, Ohio. Pat, also known by some as Patti, spent most of her early life in Southern California. At her essence, she was truly a "California girl" who loved riding and racing motorcycles. She began her medical career as a licensed practical nurse, but quickly transitioned to respiratory care. She spent most of her working years in CA as the Director of Respiratory Care at Westminster Community Hospital. In 1989, she moved to Madisonville, KY to become Director of Respiratory Care at Regional Medical Center (RMC). Pat was widely respected for her professional work in CA and KY, especially as a manager, mentor, and for her efforts to advance the respiratory care profession.

After many years of significant contributions at RMC, Pat had a new calling to become a chaplain and work at the Covenant Community Church (CCC) in Madisonville. She relished her role as Chaplain Pat and was driven by the mission she was given to do on this earth. As a chaplain, she touched countless lives officiating over weddings and funerals, visiting patients in the hospital or nursing home, training others in chaplaincy, developing new ministry programs, counseling and helping everyone she could day and night. She was tireless in her efforts - there for others when they needed her most. She was completely devoted to bringing people closer to the Lord in her fifteen years of working at CCC.

Pat had two families which she cherished - her family of origin in Oregon, and her "adopted" family in Madisonville and Louisville, where she went for almost every special occasion for thirty-four years. She loved her dogs, of which she had many over the years, and was especially fond of dachshunds. She also loved to drive - so much that she also worked for Enterprise car rental, to drive cars throughout the region. She thought nothing of driving across the U.S. to visit friends and family.

Pat was a remarkable person with an obvious zest for life and an infectious smile. She truly would have given the shirt off her back to someone in need and was always quick to give a hug. She was extremely generous and selfless with her time and any resources she had. She'd approach strangers anywhere with a blessing and scripture cards. She touched many lives in significant ways. Her kindness, warm spirit, caring heart, and love for Jesus and others will long be remembered.  Many people truly loved her, and she will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jessie Inez and Howard George Ogden; her beloved daughter Cindy Reese; sisters Norma Jean Heib and Orabelle Stewart; and nephew Rick Heib.

Survivors include her nieces, Cheryl (Gary) Bord, Deb Heib, Marlena Moreno and Michelle Stewart;  several great nieces;  one great nephew; and her lifelong friends, Celeste Worth of Louisville, KY, Marlena Lister of Oklahoma City, OK, Charlene Pavlick of San Pedro, CA, Glennda Isom of Riverside, CA, Joyce Eggleston of Huntington Beach, CA, and Joy Savoie of Medford, OR.

A Celebration of Life for Pat will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, January 28, 2024, at Covenant Community Church, 1055 North Main Street, Madisonville with Dr. Michael Knight and Pastor Andrew Harris officiating. Burial will be held at a later date in Oregon next to her daughter, Cindy. Harris Funeral Home was entrusted with care.