December 9, 1931 - October 10, 2023
Our beloved mother, Patricia LaBaw, passed away a few months shy of 92. Pat’s five children - Michael, Jeffrey, Robin, Timothy and Terry - are all fortunate to continue her legacy of living life to its fullest. She prioritized, nurtured, supported and sometimes bossed her large family, always with tremendous love. She was known in the neighborhood for her whistle that brought us all home from different directions for dinner.
Pat delighted in spending time with her 10 grandchildren: Ariel, Nicolas, Molly, Megan, Nicole, Jason, Jenny, Angela, Luke, and Ali.
She had one rule that began with her oldest grandchild, “Don’t call me Grannie!” She gladly answered to Gram, Gma or Grandma Pat. As she had done for her five children, she cherished rocking each of her grand babies as newborns, cheering them on in sports, attending dance or school events and celebrating milestones, whenever possible.
Pat truly treasured time with her great grandchildren: Penelope, Baker, Beau, Hollis, Emery, AJ, Hudson, Grady and Aliyah. She marveled at the 90 year span between the youngest and herself.
She was known as Patty, in her native Flushing, OH, where she grew up as a coal miner’s daughter and stepped up to the plate when her mother became a member of the Rosie the Riveter brigade. She carried the “can do” attitude with her all of her life and passed it along to her kids.
Pat was a passionate music enthusiast, playing the clarinet and singing in choirs in the Flushing, OH school system and into college at Ohio University. Her passion for music of all genres continued throughout her life - in her home, her car and singing in 3 choirs into her mid 80’s.
Her thirst for adventure and travel began in high school, when she won a writing competition, with a trip to Washington DC in 1948. This spirit of travel, sent her into the world, traveling with her folks, friends, kids and grandkids. A rule of thumb for any travel was that she never wanted to be away from her home for ‘too long’.
Pat’s greatest adventure began by moving to Denver in 1954, with her former husband and two oldest children. They settled in Broomfield, CO in 1956. With true “can do” spirit as she raised five children, she was also part of the entrepreneurial Broomfield Medical Center and was the bookkeeper for a medical practice. Later expanding her skills as the registrar for Broomfield High School, back when IBM punch card data entry was brand new. Ever growing, she received a degree in Human Resource Management from the University of Colorado at Denver, becoming the Human Resource Manager for a multi-state retail chain, with responsibility for approximately 2500 employees.
In the 1980’s, Pat was an active member of the Rocky Mountain Employment Council. Even after choosing early retirement, so she could care for her elderly parents, she entered into another successful 25 year career of service. She tirelessly volunteered in several areas for the Broomfield Methodist Church and training for Peer Counseling for Boulder County Senior Program. She was an active member of the Broomfield Methodist Church.
Not one to sit still, Pat enjoyed bowling & golf league, bridge and was an excellent skier. She had a voracious reading habit, one she took so seriously that she chronicled every book she read. Pat was dedicated to needlework, knitting & quilting. As an avid Denver Nugget’s fan she was elated that her “Nuggies” won the NBA Championship this year. When diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease in 2016, Pat once again, recreated her life to take the disease head on while continuing to live a full and active life, traveling and spending time with loved ones.
With a twinkle in her eye, she shared her great sense of humor, dry wit and listened well. Pat, Patty, Gram, Gma, Grandma Pat was easy-going, well-liked and a respected member of the community. She will be lovingly remembered as a supportive mother, grandmother, great grandmother, friend and mentor.
Please celebrate Pat’s life by remembering your fond and colorful stories of her and include her in your prayers. Please honor her wishes for a private family service.
To share a memory of Pat or send condolence to her family, please visit www.rundus.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s honor to Senior Resources Broomfield.
If check: P.O. Box 714 Broomfield, CO 80023-0714
Please write Pat’s name in Memo section of check
Or by website: www.srbbroomfield.org Tap on Donate button
