Patricia Saalman

Tell City, Indiana Patricia Lee "Patty, Patsy, Pat, "Grandma Bird" Saalman, passed away 5:40 a.m., Oct. 14, 2021, at her home, after a long-fought battle with cancer. She was born Feb. 29, 1944, in Tell City to Clarence and Lillian (Hagman) Goffinet. Although her official age was 77, she would argue that, as a leap year baby, she was actually only 19.25years old (yet she gladly accepted birthday gifts throughout all 77 years). Patty was a 1962 graduate of Tell City High School and on December 31, 1962 she was united in marriage to Marion Jr. "M.J." Saalman. They were THAT couple: two best friends who remained deeply in love to the very end; the couple that did everything together and never missed their daily kiss until the inseparables were separated Oct. 14-but not until he kissed her on her death bed one last time. Patty retired in 2002 from Nobles IGA where she was the hostess in the deli for 20 years. She is still recalled fondly by former customers and coworkers. She proudly put her oldest son through college with the money made via paychecks and tips. She was proud of her youngest son for achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a professional truck driver. Patty was the unofficial "Casino Queen" of the casino in Evansville, where she and M.J. spent every weekend for many years. They split their winnings 50-50 with each other. On her second to last visit, before becoming too ill to return, she hit $3,991.60 on a beloved penny slot machine. She enjoyed her standing Friday night dates with M.J. at the casino's Cavanaugh's restaurant, where they were treated to "free" meals, and she loved sleeping in their "free" river view rooms at Le Merigot Hotel. Staff members at all three facilities were like family to her. She was the number one fan of Will Read and Sing For Food benefit shows and loved taking drives, laughing with grandchildren, reading and discovering humor in all parts of life. Surviving is her husband of nearly 59 years, M.J. Saalman, Tell City; her sons, Scott Saalman (Brynne), Fishers and Patrick Saalman (Trisha), Tell City; grandchildren, Austin Saalman and Delaney Saalman (Max Bradley); step-grandchildren, Cameron Miller, Jaqueline Beason and Zach Beason; siblings, Charlotte Smith, Bristow, Bob Goffinet, Tell City, Mike Goffinet (Judy), Mariah Hill and Rick Goffinet (Carol), Santa Claus; several nieces and nephews and many close friends. Preceding her in death other than her parents were two infant daughters, Kimberly Lee and Kristie Ann Saalman, and a brother, Bill Goffinet. Funeral services will be at Noon CDT on Saturday, October 16, 2021 at Huber Funeral Home, Tell City Chapel. Rev. Tony Hollowell will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be from 8:30 AM to Noon at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Anderson Woods Summer Camp for the disabled at www.andersonwoods.org