Patricia Van Sant Real

Mrs. Patricia Van Sant Real, 78, died peacefully at home on September 19, 2008, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma.

A vigil service will be held Monday, September 22, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. at Platt’s Funeral Home, 721 Crawford Avenue, Augusta, GA. Visitation to follow from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 11:00 am at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA with the Reverend Gerald P. Ragan officiating. A burial will follow at Westover Memorial Park.

Pat attended Sacred Heart Grade School and Mt. St. Joseph High School in Augusta, GA. She was Valedictorian of both graduating classes. Pat attended Fontbonne College and graduated in 1952 from St. Louis University with a BS in Nursing Education.
Pat was employed at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Augusta from 1978-1991. She received the St. Mary Louise Herman award in 1991. The Real family was selected Irish Family of the Year in 1988. Mrs. Real was named the Irish Lady of the Year in 2006, the same year her husband was Grand Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Parade. The Reals received the Bishop Gartland Award from the Diocese of Savannah in 2005.
Pat was a member of the Sacred Heart Guild, the Aquinas Alumni Association, the Irish American Heritage Society, and was a member of and a Eucharistic Minister at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church.
Survivors include her devoted husband of 55 years, William E. Real, Sr., DDS, and children Mary (Mark) Chapin of Evans, GA; Terry Real of Atlanta, GA; Billy (Debbie) Real, Jr., DMD, of Martinez GA; Frances (Robert) Redman of Brookfield, WI; Trisha (Al) Tortorich of Kenner, LA; Anne Daniels, of Lawrenceville, GA; Kathleen (Bill) Anderson of Odessa, FL; Beth Cibak of Martinez, GA; Michael (Tricia) Real of Lawrenceville, GA. Additional survivors include 23 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, as well as sisters Barbara (Henry) Caver, Aiken, SC; Mary (Thomas) Wheeler, Gulf Breeze, FL; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, William and Kay Van Sant.
The family requests memorial contributions to be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary Endowment Fund, c/o 1420 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904.