Patricia “Pat” A. Burbach, 72, a Northland resident of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 15, 2023. She was born November 5, 1950 in Hebron, Nebraska; the second of seven children in a Roman Catholic family.
Pat decided at an early age to become a teacher after she witnessed the harsh treatment of one of her brothers by a teacher. She was the first in her family to earn a Bachelor’s degree and devoted her life to Catholic education and catechesis. Her life of service took her to classrooms in Wolbach, York and Omaha Nebraska. In 1995, she earned her Masters degree in Educational Administration from Creighton University and began the position of Principal at St. John’s Catholic School in Lincoln, Nebraska.
She came to Kansas City, Missouri to serve as Principal of St. Therese School in the Fall of 1999. She continued in this role until 2007, when her career focus shifted to the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph Catholic Schools Office. She served as the Associate Superintendent of Catholic Schools for 15 years until her retirement in June 2022. During her years in the Catholic School Office, Pat served on the Notre Dame de Sion School Board and the Missouri Nonpublic Schools Accreditation Association Board. Her dedication to these organizations was evident by her tireless work on their behalf. In her nearly fifty year career as a Catholic educator, she was a strong advocate of students, teachers, school families and administrators within Catholic schools. Her calm and peaceful spirit was a gift to all who knew her and her service to our Catholic School community will be felt for generations.
She was also a loving daughter, sister and aunt. She was beloved by all who knew her and will be deeply missed. She is survived by her brothers, Phil (Nancy) of Cedar Creek, TX, Joe of Seeley Lake, MT, John of Wilcox MO, Bill (Carol) of Lincoln NE and Steve (Barb) of Glendale CA a sister, Mary Burbach of Omaha, NE; ten nieces and nephews; sixteen grand-nieces and grand-nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Ray Burbach and mother Meg Burbach of Lincoln, NE.
All services will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Liberty, MO on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with a concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial commencing at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Michael Roach as Principal Celebrant. Private interment will take place in Hebron, NE. In honor of Pat’s dedication to Catholic education donations may be made to the Bright Futures Foundation for the Pat Burbach Memorial Scholarship and may be left in care of the Meyers Northland Chapel, 401 Main St. Parkville, MO 64152. Memories of Pat and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
Ah, I am so sorry to learn of Pat’s passing. She was one of the most genuinely faithful people I’ve known, a respected teacher and friend. May she rest in peace.
It is sad that a person I have known for twenty years has left us for her heavenly reward. She was a major influence in Erik and Karin’s lives. She will be missed.
I have only known Pat for a little while through her work with the Missouri Nonpublic Schools Accreditation Association. But during that time, I experienced a kind and generous woman who committed her life to ensuring that our young people would have access to excellent Christ centered education. Pat knew this was sacred work. I know the Lord says, ‘Well done daughter…enter your rest!’
Knowing Pat all the years here at the Chancery, she was a kind and caring person. I will miss her and all the great talks and laughter we shared.
Rest in Peace Pat.
I am so sad to hear of her passing. She helped me through a very difficult time in my life. She will be remembered as a person who truly cared. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in peace.
Pat was such a bright light in the family. I’m sure she affected many young people through her years in education. Hugs and prayers to you all. Love, your cousin Karen Hiebert Rodriguez.
Pat’s devotion to Catholic Education was a highlight in my many years as a parent and board member. She was always an excellent sounding board and helped promote our Catholic Schools even in our smallest of towns. Her genuine nature will be missed.
I am so very sorry to read of Pat’s death. Pat was such a kind, encouraging person, with whom I was honored to serve on numerous committees and endeavors. Rest in Peace, Pat. 💕🙏🙏🙏💕
Pat was a wonderful servant to students in the ministry of Catholic education. May she now enjoy her eternal reward with our loving God. Prayers and condolences to all who grieve her loss. David Laughlin, President, Rockhurst High School.
On behalf of the Missouri Nonpublic School Accreditation Association, I add our deepest sympathy to Pat’s family and all those who knew her. I had the privilege of working with her on our Board for 20+ years. She was truly an advocate for children in our state. Her passion and expertise for education and student welfare are a tremendous loss, as is the personal loss of her kindness and friendship. God bless, Pat. Rest in God’s peace.
Pat was kind and caring as well as a woman of great wisdom. I am grateful for having worked with her.
I was so blessed to be able to work with Pat for ten years. She was a mentor to me when when I moved into the position at St. Therese that she previously held and she subsequently served as the superintendent for our school. She was always there to advise, assist, and support while exemplifying what it means to be a servant leader. She deeply cared about the students and staff with whom she worked and her faith was profoundly felt by the administrators she led. She will be dearly missed.
I worked with Pat for many years and I enjoyed her friendship, kindness, and support of my work at Notre Dame de Sion. She was a good friend.
She was a wonderful woman and her commitment to Catholic education was inspirational to many. May she rest in peace.
Alice Munninghoff
Enjoyed the many years of collaboration at the Chancery. Well done…good and faithful servant. Now, RIP.
On behalf of the Congregation of Notre Dame de Sion, I would like to express my condolences to Patricia’s family on her passing. I met Pat several years ago in my visits to the NDS School in Kansas City. We the Sisters of Sion would like to express our gratitude for her generosity in serving on the board of the NDS School. She had a strong commitment to Catholic education and was a very dedicated educator. I am sure she left her footprint on the many places she served. As family and friends gather to celebrate her life, may we give thanks for all that she gave to students, faculty and family during her earthly life and pray for her as she enters her heavenly home.
St. Teresa’s Academy wishes to convey sincere condolences to Pat’s family. She was a bright light. I interacted with her a few times, but the school administrators knew her very well. Principals Baker, McCormick ,and I were conversing this morning about the love and light that Pat exemplified. Her heart was welcoming and her life was a true reflection of Catholic social teaching in action-not just theory. Jesus has prepared the place in God’s heart for all of us.
John 14:2 reminds us of Jesus’ promise, “In my Father’s house there are many mansions. If not, I would have told you: because I go to prepare a place for you.”
Pat is now home with the Lord.
God Bless,
Pat was my first contact with St. Therese around six years ago as we chatted on the phone (when I was living in Iowa). I could sense her sweet spirit and commitment to children. As I got to know her more personally I could see too, her great love for our Heavenly Father. She was a blessing to me. I know her journey on this earth was full of love and support for those the Lord called her to serve. I am reminded of the Bible verse found in the book of Psalms, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His Saints.” She will be missed but one day we will all be together again.
I had the privilege of not only being taught by Pat but also being a teacher under her as an assistant superintendent. I will never forget how her face lit up when she saw me at a diocesan meeting, and she said, “I recognize your face, but remind me of your name.” My heart leapt with joy that she remembered me. She was an amazing teacher, and I am so lucky to have known her.
Pat was an accomplished and wonderful woman. My deepest condolences to the family. I know she will rest in peace with her momma and dad. Love and blessings to the Burbach family. Love, cousin Diane Kimbro
Sincere condolences to the family of Pat Burbach. Pat’s years of service to Catholic education and friendship with her fellow educators is testament to her love for youth and for helping others.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Miss Burbach. She was my teacher for science and religion During my grade school years at St. Columbkille. Miss Burbach was always so kind and compassionate. She had such an enthusiastic way of presenting material to her students. May she rest in peace.
As I remember Pat, I know that, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness. Nothing is so gentle as real strength.” Pat was strong, gentle and a true moral compass for so many of us who were blessed to have known and worked with her. “Eternal rest grant unto her. . . .”
I did the initial screening of Pat to be principal for the diocese and I had the privilege of hiring Pat in 1999. She was one of the top principals because of her compassion, competence and commitment to the students she served, her colleagues, and her strong faith. She came to Kansas City specifically to have a more active role as a lay woman in a parish. Her unselfish service was a model to many. There is no doubt in my mind that the God who she serves so faithfully embraced her fully last week. May she rest in peace.
Pat hired me to work at St. Therese in 2005… Pat made a difference in my life… I am blessed to have had Pat touch my life and leave me a better person…I know she is in heaven or on her way…
Dear Burbach family,
We are so sorry for your loss. Pat was such a faithful and loving person and truly devoted her time on earth helping others. May she rest in peace…Love, Pat and Ruth Lester
So very sorry for your loss, Mary and family. PI had the privilege of working with Pat for many years. I taught second grade at St. Therese when Pat first came. She hired me the next year to be assistant principal at St. Therese. We enjoyed many years of collaboration-so many great discussions and lots of laughter together. She was a kind and loving servant of Jesus-devoted to children and Catholic education. Rest in peace, dear friend!
I’m saddened to hear of Pat’s passing. I served on numerous committees when she was in the diocesan office and as a member of the board at NDS. She was always kind and gracious . She loved to listen and help reflect on what was important. Peace always