Patricia M. Bilyo (Doubrava) of Gold Canyon, Arizona, passed away unexpectedly December 20, 2022.

Born February 28, 1952, in New Haven, Connecticut, to the late Edward Doubrava and Tessie Drozdowski, and raised in Ansonia, "Patty" was a vibrant and caring soul who added joy to the lives of all who she encountered. A loving wife, aunt, sister, friend, and proud owner of many dogs throughout her life, Patty made every effort to always be a kind, humorous, and comforting presence.

Patty's 50-year career as a nurse allowed her to connect with countless patients and colleagues. After earning her Diploma in Nursing from Saint Vincent's School of Nursing in 1972, she served as a pediatric nurse manager at Greenwich Hospital in Greenwich, Connecticut, and at the Hospital of Saint Raphael in New Haven for a combined 20 years.

Patty relocated to Gold Canyon in 1994 and was appointed the Director of Nursing at Phoenix Mountain Nursing Center. In 1997, she transitioned to nursing in a correctional setting in Florence, where she would spend the remainder of her career. Her compassionate and professional demeanor made her a role model among her fellow nurses.

An avid animal lover, Patty volunteered at the Arizona Beagle Rescue for many years. Her lifelong commitment to the Beagle Rescue involved fostering dogs, conducting home visits to families considering adoptions, and visiting and playing with dogs awaiting adoption. She always rose to the occasion and took on the hard cases. Patty paid special attention to the dogs that had health issues, were neglected or abused, and was able to give them wonderful lives. If she saw a dog wandering on the side of the road, Patty would pick them up, provide them food and water, and alert the entire neighborhood about a lost dog. She would not rest until the dog was returned to its owner.

Additionally, Patty enjoyed trapshooting, shopping for Southwestern jewelry,  going to the movies, attending church, and traveling with her family. A curious mind for cars, she was a loyal member of the Sun Country Corvette Club. A consummate organizer, Patty was the person in charge of Corvette Club trips to corrections facilities, their annual Fourth of July lunch at Gold Canyon Resort, and planning fundraising events for the Beagle Rescue.

Patty's smile and tenderness will be missed by all who knew her. Always seeking out old and new friends alike, she took the time to listen to others and was the perfect companion to many. She was selfless, compassionate, funny, patriotic, sentimental, and decent.

Above all, Patty considered her family the most important part of her life. A loving and proud aunt to three nephews — Kyle, Corey, and Brett Doubrava —  a devoted wife of 39 years to William Bilyo, the eldest of two surviving siblings, Janet and Edward Doubrava, and the doting mother of two dogs, Coors and Estella, the love she provided has made a profound impact on those she leaves behind. Never forgetting a birthday or attending an important life event, Patty cherished the time spent with her loved ones, and her family cherished their time with her.

She is survived by husband William Bilyo of Gold Canyon; sister Janet Doubrava of South Kingstown, Rhode Island; brother Edward Doubrava and his wife Michaela of South Jordan, Utah; nephews Kyle Doubrava and Brett Doubrava of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Corey Doubrava of Scottsdale, Arizona; and beloved dogs Coors and Estella.

There will be a Mass to celebrate Patty's life Wednesday, December 28, at 12 p.m. at St. George's Catholic Church (300 E 16th Ave, Apache Junction, Arizona). In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Arizona Beagle Rescue would be appreciated.