Lend a Helping Hand to Pat and His Family

Hi Everyone,

On Tuesday August 27th we lost my uncle Patrick Lee Richardson who had been struggling with a diagnosis of Glioblastoma since January of this year. He died peacefully and surrounded by family. He leaves behind his wife Nanci Harkins- Richardson and his 13 year old daughter Elisabeth Richardson. My grandmother Carol DiCicco -Harkins asked me to put together this donation page in order to reach out to those who want to help them in their time of need.

Last year around thanksgiving uncle Pat knew things were not okay when he continued to have problems with his vision, so he scheduled a doctors appointment to look into it. No more than a month later, on Christmas Eve, they took my uncle Pat in for brain surgery to remove a tumor. He had lost his peripheral vision and would need occupational and physical therapy, but he had done well, and we were very hopeful. A few weeks later however, the biopsy came back as Glioblastoma grade 4. Those diagnosed with this form of brain cancer have about a 25% chance of surviving past a year, and just 5% live past five years.  Uncle Pat began treatment to fight the cancer, and for a time,  things seemed to be working. He continued to be his normal jovial self throughout the process. Some time at the end of June my aunt Nanci began to notice that the treatments no longer helped.  She let the doctor know about her concerns, and they ordered another scan. To our dismay, the scan came back showing that the cancer had spread to the frontal lobe of his brain.  Over the past couple months things changed rapidly and those changes were very hard. In the end, uncle Pat could not walk on his own anymore; he could not remember what was going on; and he could not always remember who many of us were. Hospice became a necessity, and eventually they brought a hospital bed into the home to make him more comfortable. Uncle Pat began showing signs that things were coming to an end late on Monday August 26th and by the afternoon of August 27th he passed.

Uncle Pat was born on May 10, 1965, in Shreveport, Louisiana and died at the age of 54. He was one of the kindest souls I have ever known and never in my life can I remember him speaking to me with anything less than love in his voice. He loved animals and fishing. He was a committed fan of the Dallas Cowboys and LSU Tigers. He loved listening to classic rock and singing along in the car. Uncle pat loved to laugh and he loved his family. 
 
While they deal with the loss of a husband and father, Nanci and Elisabeth are facing additional financial burdens as well. The most pressing ones right now are the medical bills, final expenses, and needed repairs to their home. For their anniversary this year, Nanci and Pat were going to work on a lot of necessary maintenance to their home; however, Pat's illness and the medical expenses that followed prevented this work. These are not cosmetic projects, and they will need to be done in order to maintain a livable home for their daughter, Elisabeth. Any money donated to this fund will be going to Nanci so that she can pay the medical bills, pay any funeral costs, and work on necessities for their home.

My aunt does not like asking for help, but she is always the one to offer help when it's needed. She and my uncle have been there for me both emotionally and financially all of my life, and I am only one example of their generosity.  I have watched them both offer endless amounts of help when others have needed it and I implore those of you who know them to please reach out with your words of support even if you cannot donate. I know that the goal I posted is a lot and a lot of people may not be able to donate, but really and truly every little bit helps. A fund has also been set up  at Home Federal Bank to help with final and medical expenses. Contributions can be mailed to HFB ATTN: Dawn Williams, 222 Florida Street, Shreveport, Louisiana, 71105. 

Family and friends are invited to share their memories of Patrick during a visitation at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home at 8801 Mansfield Road, in Shreveport, on Friday, September 6, 2019, from 4:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. A Vigil will begin at 7:30p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, September 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Mary of the Pines Catholic Church at 1050 W Bert Kouns Industrial Loop, in Shreveport, followed by a reception in Vandegar Hall.


Thank you,
Nikki Duvall