Patricia Hamburg

Patricia M. Hamburg, 94, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2022, at home, with her family.  Pat was born on May 8, 1928, to Herbert and Katherine (Hughes) Small, in Boston, MA.  She was the youngest child and only daughter in a busy Irish family that loved boating and fishing, and she cherished these childhood memories for her entire life.  She reminisced about the WWII years, attending concerts at Boston Commons, and worrying about her brothers who were fighting overseas.  A deep Catholic faith was instilled in Pat by her parents, and this faith remained a central part of her identity throughout her life.

Pat began a medical career with R.N. training through Boston City Hospital and worked as a visiting nurse in South Boston.  She was then commissioned as a nurse in the Air Force and married Lt. Donald Hamburg in Wiesbaden, Germany on July 3, 1954.   The couple returned to the U.S. in 1956 and began family life in southeast Denver.  Pat received advanced medical training in ostomy medicine and support, and partnered with Dr. Matilda Frank at a Capitol Hill Clinic that provided treatment and support to many Denver patients.  She provided training and consultation at the Denver Regional Veteran's Hospital and was grateful to witness advances in surgery and treatment for colostomy and ileostomy patients.

Pat and Don moved to Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1981, and she fell in love with mountain life, hiking with the Wednesday Hikers Club, volunteering with the interfaith food bank LiftUp, swimming at the Hot Springs Pool, skiing Sunlight Resort and  Buttermilk  Mountain, enjoying local festivals and concerts, and playing bridge.  The couple cruised through the Mediterranean, also to Alaska, and she hiked with friends in England and Ireland.  They tried out snowbird life in both Tucson and Phoenix and took numerous trips to Mexico.

They returned to Aurora, CO, in 2010 to spend more time with family, and Pat made new friends at Heather Gardens; learned ceramics, swam and had daily coffee with the "round- table ladies". She also enjoyed activities at St. Andrew's Village, where she moved after her husband Don's death. At the onset of Covid-19, she moved to her daughter's home, where she pampered the dog, read constantly, and enjoyed daily breakfast and walks with her son William.  Pat will be remembered for her sweet spirit, her loyalty to family and her great joy in everyday life.  She loved being outdoors, singing, socializing and ice cream!

Family Rosary and Mass were held on August 8, 2022, with burial at Ft. Logan Cemetery on August 9, 2022.

Patricia was predeceased by her parents, her three brothers, and her husband Donald, who died April 3, 2016.  She is survived by her four children; Donna, William, Kenneth and Therese, and a much loved extended family.

The family would like to thank all those who continued to write, call and visit Pat; you made her days brighter! We also are grateful to Denver Hospice who assisted  in making her comfortable in her last few days.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the food bank of your choice, or to Loretto Hunger Fund, 4000 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Littleton, CO 80123.