Patricia Craft

Patricia Ann Warrington passed peacefully 8 July 2024 with family and caregivers in attendance. Pat, as she is known to family and friends, lived a long life, many years traveling throughout the United States and across the world. She was born in Estherville, Iowa, 1 June 1935, to John H. Warrington and Celia E. Jeffries Warrington. The family traveled for John's work, finding homes in Denver, Co., Sarasota, Fl., and Lexington, Ky. Throughout these travels, Pat enjoyed summer camps, horseback riding competitions, vacation time in Iowa with her Uncle Lou and Grandmother Mae Pearl, tap dancing, and ballet.

From a young age, Pat developed an independent streak, with a "just watch me" attitude, learning to drive on her Uncle's farm around age 12. In Lexington, Ky., Pat attended Lafayette High School where she met her future husband (and best friend), Richard Craft. They became engaged in their sophomore year while attending the University of Kentucky and married in January of 1957 of their final semester. Pat accomplished a Bachelors degree in nutritional sciences and then did work for hospitals, designing menus to meet the various dietetic needs of patients. Since her fairly new husband was away, enjoying basic training in Texas, Pat left Kentucky and paid work behind to join him for a 30 year journey as an Air Force wife. Together they traveled on three continents, living in four different countries, and making homes in six different states in the USA. During this time, Pat raised their son and daughter, keeping them grounded in home and school routines despite her husband's many military absences. She was an active member of the Officers' Wives Club at each new station and frequently volunteered at the many support organizations on bases. Pat enjoyed learning about the people and culture of her new homes and sought opportunities to learn new skills: tailoring from Japanese tailors, cake decorating from pastry chefs, wine tasting (becoming a certified Sommelier), 40 hours of woodworking, basic sailing, 80 hours of car mechanics, a Masters in Library Sciences, architectural drafting, and computer-based bookkeeping.

Once the children were on their own, and Richard retired from the Air Force, they enjoyed more time together, deepening their life long friendship. They worked on the house together, their yard and garden plants, and family genealogy. When their son and his family moved closer to them for a time, they enjoyed getting to know their grandchildren, delighting as only grandparents can in school events and learning the young lives of their kin. During this time, Pat also reconnected with her love of tap dancing. A group of lively senior women practiced together under the auspices of a community enrichment program. They developed routines, performing for senior living facilities, and competed in senior line dancing (taking gold for each competition). Eventually, Pat taught the tap classes when others moved on, forming the Golden Rays.

After 60 years of marriage, Pat's beloved husband and friend passed unexpectedly. Pat slowed down a bit after that, spending much time in her garden when the weather allowed. COVID brought her son to live with her. When the world began traveling again, Pat went with her son to Albuquerque to be close to his family. Here is where Pat spent her final years, eventually living at Amaran Senior Living with capable caregivers and attentive staff.

Pat is preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Craft; her brother, Jon Michael Warrington; and her father and mother, John and Celia Warrington. She is survived by her son and his wife, Richard and D'Ann Craft; her daughter and her husband, Leigh Craft and Paul Meyer; and her grandchildren: Caitlin Craft, Kyle Craft, Casey Craft, Monique Meyer, and Courtney Meyer.