Patricia Ann "Patsy" (Burke) Derba

Patricia Ann “Patsy” (Burke) Derba, 83, recently of Franklin, long-time Stoughton resident, originally from Dorchester’s St. Margaret’s Parish, died peacefully July 23, 2023. Born in Boston July 3, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Mary “Mae” (Feeney) Burke and John H. “Burkie” Burke, Sr. In addition to her parents, Pat was preceded in death by her dear brother John H. Burke, Jr. and her great-grandson Maximus.    

She is survived by three sons, Robert Derba and his wife Laura of Foxborough, Joseph Derba III and his wife Linda of Foxborough and Kevin Derba of Canton. Pat was the long-time, loving companion of the late John T. Hurley and the former wife and dear friend of the late Joseph J. Derba, Jr.

Pat leaves her grandsons Justin Derba and his wife Lori, Keith Derba and his wife Meghan, Joseph Derba and Brian Derba, and Chris Benoit and his wife Katie, and her granddaughters Brittany Nelles and her husband Zane and Laila Derba. She was the great-grandmother of Mary, Kaydance, Kamryn and Declan Derba, Olivia and Harrison Benoit, Greyson Nelles and the late Maximus Derba. She is also survived by her dear sister-in-law Frances Burke of East Boston and her children Karen and John, as well as several treasured cousins, her extended Derba family members, and lifelong friends.

Educated in Dorchester, beginning at the Cora L. Ethridge School, Pat was a 1958 graduate of Jeremiah Burke High School. She began her working career in Boston before raising her sons and retired from the Brockton VA Medical Center after many years of service. 

Pat was known for her kind, quiet demeanor that belied her firm ideals and sure opinions.  She possessed an observant sense of humor and an appreciation of fun and the Hallmark Channel. She was particularly proud of her sons, their families, and her Irish heritage. 

The Derba Family would like to express appreciation to April at The Enclave in Franklin for her kind, professional care and family support. 

A Funeral Mass is to be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 122 Canton St, Stoughton on Wednesday, August 2 at 10:30 AM with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, 1100 Washington St., Stoughton. Visiting hours omitted.

In lieu of flowers donations in Pat’s memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 (http://diabetes.org).