Pat Pitts Schenk

Patricia Pitts Schenk, 74, of Denham Springs, LA, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 15, 2026 – one day shy of her 75th Birthday. Having told family and friends that she wanted no fanfare for the milestone, she got her wish—well, sort of. She was surrounded by her beautiful, beloved, and admittedly needy cats, which was exactly the kind of celebration she wanted.

Pat was a sharply funny, sensitive and loving mother and adoring grandmother! Her greatest joys in life were her 2 granddaughters Taylor and Phoebe. She became “Nana” when they were born and nothing else shined brighter or gave her more joy.

Pat was born in West Point, MS in 1951 and moved several times with her family through Mississippi during her school years. The family settled in Louisiana in 1965 when she was a teenager. She and her siblings were once again the new kids – this time at Doyle High School in Livingston. This is where she met Russell Schenk, whom she married right out of high school. Together they looked like the southern version of Barbie and Ken. During their 21 years of marriage they had 2 children, James (Jimmy) and Jodi.

Pat worked for years in the insurance industry as an administrator - focusing on membership, billing, and bookkeeping. She was buttoned up and dependable but work never sparked her imagination – arriving at home and getting comfortable was the best part of her day. Always.

Pat’s hobbies included taking naps, cranking country music, playing Words with Friends, (she was good!) giving her cats treats, feeding neighborhood stray cats, washing and re-washing her hair, binge watching shows like Everybody Loves Raymond, The Waltons, and Ozark – which she watched again while recovering at home from a serious abdominal surgery this summer. At Christmastime she handmade bows for gifts. They were gorgeous and instantly recognizable as Pat’s.

Pat was an amazing cook! Her best dishes were homemade chicken n dumplings, her “cook all day” red sauce, beef stew, gumbo, strawberry dream cake, banana pudding and her Mom’s peanut butter fudge – which she made every Christmas, and family devoured from a huge decorative tin.

Pat is preceded in death by her parents, Reverend James C. Pitts Jr. and Dorothy Upchurch Pitts; and husband, Russell.

Pat is survived by her children, James Schenk and Jodi Koontz; son-in-law, John Koontz; her grandchildren, Taylor and Phoebe Koontz; her siblings, James L. Pitts, Jerry M. Pitts and wife, Susan, Jackie Wilson and husband Terry; and her beloved cats, Bella, Roscoe and Miss Kitty (who is 18)

Relatives and friends are invited to join the family at Seale Funeral Home, 1720 S. Range Ave, Denham Springs on Friday, October 23, 2026 for a visitation starting at 1:00 PM until a very personal celebration of life beginning at 3:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Cat Haven of Baton Rouge. Their message: Love Cats? Donate today! Pat did love cats, as she wanted to save and baby them all. cathaven.org