Patricia Sutton

Patricia Sutton, 93 (1928-2021), of Albuquerque, NM, peacefully passed away on July 17, 2021, surrounded by loved ones, after an unexpected and brief digestive illness.

Pat earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her best friend and husband, Ken Sutton, of 73 years. Theirs was true “love at first sight”, as he proposed, and she accepted his invitation of marriage after knowing each other for only two weeks. Ken and Pat had a lifelong collaborative and caring relationship based on mutual support and a deep love for each other.

Dedication and hard work defined Pat Sutton. Inducted into the Honor Society, Omicron Nu Upsilon Chapter in 1948, Pat discovered in college that she was one of the rare few that could actually be productive between midnight and 5:00 a.m.  She could often be found working with pen and paper, then a manual typewriter replaced by an electric typewriter, and eventually with a computer when everybody went to bed. She was still on any available instrument of written communication when everybody woke up. Raise your hand if you have received an email from Pat Sutton sent at three o’clock in the morning. Of course, when she finally went to bed, she slept for seven to eight hours. It was all good.

Pat excelled at maintaining relationships with her family and friends. and thrived on the exchange of creative and interesting, even provocative, ideas. She would give her opinion without flinching or apology, yet she never dismissed others for their insights. She was a stylish lady, who enjoyed entertaining, often enlisting her daughters for help with planning, coordinating, and serving at fun-filled themed parties such as the Casino party and the Roaring Twenties party. Smaller dinner parties were, also, in her entertainment repertoire.

With her husband and family, she travelled across the United States, as well as internationally by land, sea, and air. Pat was particularly fond of participating in learning adventures conducted by Elderhostel, now Road Scholar.  This afforded her the opportunity to develop life-long friendships. She was a square dancer, attending national conventions where more than a thousand gaily frocked strangers whirled and twirled with amazing synchronicity. When she stopped dancing, one of her daughters took up the hobby and was the grateful recipient of her fancy dresses and very full petticoats.  As a charter member of New Life Presbyterian Church, Pat served as an Elder and Deacon.  And did you know that she was considered a child prodigy with the violin?

Pat Sutton had a passion for teaching and public service.  Until she retired from her public professional service at age 62, that passion was expressed for Home Economics Education at Albuquerque’s Cleveland Junior High and El Dorado High School. She was the foundation of integrity and high expectations for students and colleagues both. Over the years, she received numerous professional recognitions and awards, to include but not limited to: the 1975 National Home Economics Association (NMHEA) Education Section Teacher of the Year; the Albuquerque Consumer Credit Association and Consumer Credit Counseling Service recognition for Special Efforts to Pass Consumer Education Legislation SJM4, 1979 Session; Certification for Exemplary Vocational Home Economics Program at the 1984 Vocational Conference; and the 1988 Teacher of the Year Award at El Dorado High School.

Another passion of Pat’s was writing. She had plans to write the next great novel.  However, writing fiction was not her strong point. No surprise, her talent was teaching. She was an active member of Southwest Writers for many years and actively participated in several writing critique groups, where her observations and editing skills were highly appreciated by her writing colleagues.

After retirement at age 62, Pat embarked on the difficult journey of becoming a Professional Registered Parliamentarian. As a member of the Albuquerque Parliamentarian Unit, she was responsible for adding to the number of credentialed parliamentarians in New Mexico.  She served as publicity chairman, reaching out to diverse community groups in innovative ways, and she served as President for the 1998-1999 term.  She served as President of the New Mexico State Association of Parliamentarians 2001-2003. In 2004, she received the Extraordinary Service Award from the New Mexico Association of Family and Consumer Science. At age 79, in 2007, Pat started her own company, Parliamentary Services, to help guide New Mexico’s general public and organizations throughout the state to accurately interpret and put into practice the parliamentary guidelines of Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.  In recognition of her service, Pat was honored with a Proclamation from the New Mexico State Association of Parliamentarians for 31 years of teaching parliamentary procedure and her encouragement to all to master Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised.  Her family beams with pride in these and all of her achievements.

While Pat took great fulfilment from her professions, nothing could compare to the pride she had in her family. Pat was predeceased by her parents and her brother. She is survived by her husband, Ken; her three children, Janet, Dianne, and Jim; her two grandchildren, Allison and Aaron; and her three great grandchildren, Abbigale, Aubrey, and Austin.  The legacy of Pat’s kind spirit, passion for teaching, love of learning, and zest for life will live on through them.  Particularly endearing was her easy laugh, wry sense of humor and quick wit. Pat’s unconditional love for her family, friends, colleagues, and dogs clearly exhibited her soft, gentle nature. She will be greatly missed by all of us that knew and loved her.

Pat was a person of faith and lived life serving others. Hers was a life well-lived.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.