Minette "Mama" Patten

Age 80, peacefully passed away at her home Tuesday, February 5, 2013. Minette "Mama" is survived by her daughter, Melanie P. Fritzsche and son-in-law, Matt Fritzsche; sister, Doreen Hammond; brother, Bradford Hall; many nieces and nephews; and grand nieces and grand nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, A. Richmond Hall and mother, Minnielee Hall. Minette was from Rockland, Massachusetts. She moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in her high school years and graduated from "Bull Dog City" Albuquerque High. She went on to attend the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy, graduating in 1953. While at UNM, she was a member of Town Club, an independent social organization, and Spurs, a National Honor Society for Sophomore Women. As a pharmacy student, Minette helped start the Albuquerque Poison Control Center with her talents of researching, writing, and understanding of drug reactions. As a Registered Pharmacist (R.Ph.), she worked in hospital and retail pharmacies. Her career as a Registered Pharmacist spanned 44 years. Minette enjoyed the outdoors very much. She began skiing in the 1950's and skied the slopes from Sun Valley, Idaho and Vail, Colorado, to the many slopes throughout New Mexico. She was an avid fisherman since her early childhood. She fished the ponds around her house in New England and the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Later, she taught herself and others how to fly fish and enjoyed fishing the northern rivers of New Mexico. In addition, she liked to hike and camp. Minette traveled all over the United States and Canada. She attained her goal of going to Alaska not once, but twice. She was active at the Palo Duro and Bear Canyon Senior Citizen Centers, water aerobics at UNM, and the Presbyterian Aquatic Program. Participating in League Bridge, she was a member of the Duke City Bridge Club, which is a member of the American Contract Bridge League. Minette accomplished being a Sectional Master by earning 54.32 master points. Her love of animals was evident through her feeding of the birds and having cats and dogs throughout her life. Minette "Mama" was a smart individual and will be missed greatly. XXOO A graveside service was held on Saturday, February 9, 2013, at 2:00 pm at Sunset Memorial Park, 924 Menaul Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM.