Patricia Jeanette St John

Patty St John was full of joy and spread that joy to all those who knew her. Many in heaven are celebrating her arrival! She joined our Lord and loved ones who passed before her on March 8th. There will be a celebration of her 92 years on earth on March 29 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel in Centennial at 1:00. To coin a phrase, ‘Everyone has a story’…Patty’s story began on Dec 4th, 1932 in Denver, Colorado. She grew up as an only child with her mother, Wauneta, and her father, Bob, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins, one of whom (Terri) she introduced to skiing. Even though she did not have siblings, Patty was a magnet for friends and made some very dear ones to include her third grade pal, her Blackhawk partner in crime, the infamous bridge group, her PCC golfing pals, and her assisted living buddies.

Patty attended Asbury Elementary, Grant Junior High, and then graduated from South High School in 1951. She learned to play the piano and had opportunity to travel in Europe. She attended CU Boulder for one year, left school to marry in 1952, divorced in 1955. During these three years she lived in Ft Knox, Kentucky. While there, she worked for the 3rd Armor Motor Division as a Civil Service GS2 Clerk. Upon her return to Denver Patty worked for Buick Motor Division for five years, then for Cody Dental Group for 18 months, then for Ethel Corporation as an executive secretary where she worked till the age of 45. Upon retiring, she took up golf, and loved to bike, walk, play bridge, play piano…and of course, ski!

Patty learned to ski using wood skies at the age of 16 at Loveland Basin, on a rope tow. She loved skiing and loved to tell the story of how at her first run down the mountain she pointed her skies straight downhill saying, “I’ll go first!” She proceeded to fall down, and laughed when the patrolman who arrived on the scene, commented, “We thought you’d be dead!” She had a lot of ski years yet to live and taught Chick, Susie and Tom how to ski. She wondered how it happened that the three of them passed her up on the slopes.

Patty met her best friend in life in December 1964 and married him in February 1965. Their first date was a ski date, upon being set up by close friends. Chick St John was the love of Patty’s life! They were married for 56 years and did everything together to include skiing, golf, Denver Bronco Games, CU Football Games, Denver Symphony Performances, DCPA Plays, Dancing at the Country Palace, San Diego and Phoenix Golf Trips, Bridge Games, Pinehurst Country Club Events and Entertaining Family & Friends. When Patty married Chick she became a part of a big family that she fit right in to, and made her own. Patty became an instant mother to Susie and Tom, who were 9 and 7 at the time. She embraced that job with her joy and love, never wavering in her commitment to and care for them as her kids. God must have designed her to be the perfect wife for Chick and stepmother for Susie & Tom. She eventually became a grandmother to four (Molly, Sarah, Tommy, Alyssa) who called her Grammy Patty. Patty was so proud of her family and was forever telling stories about them.

Patty loved to cook and bake, skills she learned from her mother. She always loved to host a party…with Chick by her side, of course. Susie and Tom were impressed that she made things “from scratch!” And her mashed potatoes were simply the Best. Her hospitality was delightful and appreciated by many to include the PCC Women’s Golf League for whom she volunteered for a couple years.

Patty had her favorite things…like Lipstick (she didn’t leave home without it), Jamie Sadock blouses (she wore them every day, both on and off the golf course until her last day), high heels (she wore them until she couldn’t), wine (only drink wine on days that end in Y), dining out (what’s for dinner…reservations!), her piano (sadly, her baby grand piano wouldn’t fit in her assisted living apartment), her home (always amazingly neat and clean, even at age 92), and she loved ice cream (Blue Bunny Pistachio Almond – ‘shouldn’t have it, but I will’).

First and foremost, Patty loved her family, she loved her friends…and she loved life! Her positive outlook and her ability to find joy in all circumstances were admirable. We will truly miss our Patty…A Lot.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.