Patricia Ann Deal

Patricia Ann (Trish) Johnson Deal, age 75, died unexpectedly on Thursday, July 12, after experiencing a stroke. A Native Floridian born in Pensacola, FL on March 1, 1943, Trish loved the beautiful beaches of the Emerald Coast and everything about Florida living. The second daughter of David T. Johnson and Mary Comforter Johnson, Trish was a vivacious child, sometimes receiving detention for her talkative personality. In 1961, she was Queen of the Pensacola Fiesta of Five Flags, a festival celebrating the founding of the city. After graduating high school, Trish earned both a BA and an MA from the University of Florida where she was a proud member of Chi Omega Sorority. She then became active both professionally and as a volunteer in the Lakeland community. Her professional life included being the media specialist at Lime Street Elementary, St. Joseph Academy (where she helped established the media center), and Santa Fe Catholic High School. Many lives were forever touched by her genuine warmth and beautiful heart, with her often referring to grown men and women as “my kids.” Trish also worked as a school substitute teacher at various public and private schools in the county and quickly became a popular figure on each campus. A faithful member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Trish demonstrated her love for the Lord in everything she did. In addition to years spent volunteering with the Junior League of Greater Lakeland, she was a past president of the Law Wives Association in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, a past president of Lakeland Assemblies Cotillion Club, a past president of the Polk County Media Association, a board member of the Polk Museum of Art, and a past president of the Chi Omega alumnae chapter, writing numerous Chi Omega recs for college girls and taking great pride in each new baby owl. But everyone who knew Trish understood that her real pride and joy was her daughter, Mary Anne. Trish was a living, breathing example of what it is to be a great mother, a wonderful daughter, a loving sister, a loyal friend, and a faithful servant of Christ. People might find it hard to believe that the talkative, happy-go-lucky Trish claimed she was really a shy person. But as an encourager by nature, Trish never knew a stranger and never failed to leave everyone she encountered feeling happy that she had crossed paths with them. Trish was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brother, David Tobin Johnson Jr. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Mary Anne Deal Olinsky (Mitch), sister Cathy Johnson Thompson (Jim), nephew Nick Thompson (Chené), great nephew Nicholas Thompson, other family members including the Rocky Comforter family of Port St. Joe FL, and many friends. Services will be held on Thursday, July 19, with a visitation from 9:30-10:30 in the chapel of St. Joseph’s. This will be immediately followed by the Funeral Mass in the sanctuary and a reception in the parish hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Santa Fe Catholic High School, 3110 US Hwy 92 East, Lakeland, FL 33801, in Trish Deal’s name.