Patricia Petch

Patricia Ann (Richardson) Petch passed away March 21, 2025, in Windsor, Colorado in her 90 th year. Pat lived a full life with vivacity, tenacity, persistence, and verve. Mom-Grammy-Great Grammy G, Pat was loved by many. Gatherings with family and friends were among her greatest joys. Pat never missed a chance to hop in the car to go somewhere — especially if the destination had some sand and waves. Whether a trip around the block, to the other side of town, or across the country, Pat loved to “GO.”

 Pat was born to Guy Francis Richardson and Ruth Fern (Johnson) Richardson in San Benito, Texas, on November 1, 1934. The youngest child in the family, Pat loved growing up in San Benito — fishing in the Resaca, exploring a yet-to-be developed South Padre Island, and playing with the neighborhood gang.

 Music and swimming played outsized roles in Pat’s life from an early age. Playing the oboe in the concert band and percussion in the marching band were favorite activities in high school, but her first love was singing. Pat shared her lyric soprano voice with many in South Texas, singing in churches, local and All-State choirs, as well as many appearances on local radio broadcasts. Pat was also a swimmer, lifeguarding and serving as a waterfront camp counselor in her youth. 

After two years at Texas Southmost College, Pat transferred to then North Texas State College, where she received her bachelor’s degree and elementary education teaching certificate. She moved to Denver, Colorado, to take a job teaching third grade in the Jefferson County School District, where she taught until marriage took her out of state.

 A chance meeting after a church service in Golden, Colorado, introduced Pat to her future husband. Kenneth Petch was an Air Force pilot home on leave. Pat and Ken fell in love and were married on July 5, 1959, and settled in Washington state where Ken was stationed. Pat loved Air Force life, enjoying the close-knit friendships and sense of community on base. Ken resigned his commission in 1963, shortly after the birth of their first child, Brad. The couple moved back to Colorado, settling first in Applewood — where son, Bryan, was born two years later, and daughter Jennifer, two years after that. In 1967, they moved to Lakewood and a Green Mountain home where Pat would reside for the next 50-plus years.

 While Ken sold real estate in Jefferson County, Pat took charge of the house and children. Pat taught her children the importance of education, to live with joy, to expect goodness in their lives, and to explore their world without fear. She instilled her love of swimming and music in each of them. The kids grew up at the pool and playing in the neighborhood, and band formed many of their fondest childhood memories. Among Pat’s children and grandchildren are several pianists, two French horn players, two cellists, a flautist, a trombone player, and four trumpeters, as well as guitarists and banjo players. Several have gone on to be professional educators and a few still swim.

Pat poured herself into supporting her family’s activities, camping with Ken and the kids across Colorado in all seasons. She was active in the school P.T.A, was a Cub Scout Den Mother and Girl Scout Troop Leader, and was an active band booster. She proudly cheered for children and grandchildren at swim meets, softball and soccer games, and numerous concerts and marching band festivals, continuing to support and encourage them in college and professional activities. Pat was also active in grassroots politics at the precinct level, campaigning for several candidates when the children were young. Once the children were older, Pat worked as a receptionist at the Empire Savings building downtown before, she returned to teaching, serving as a substitute teacher, a classroom aide, and special needs aid in several Jefferson County elementary schools. 

Ken passed on in 2000, and Pat entered a new phase of her life, finding her own way and living on her own for the next 25 years. Pat enjoyed knitting and embroidery in a round-robin stitchery group and loved playing bridge with several groups of friends. She moved to Windsor, Colorado, in 2019 to be closer to family. Pat was a life-long Christian Scientist and was an active member of the Golden and Littleton churches prior to attending the Fort Collins church after moving to northern Colorado. 

Pat’s legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren. Educators, swimmers, musicians abound among her descendants. The youngest of her family, Pat was preceded in death by her parents, brother Ralph (Charlene) Richardson, sister Zetta (Bob) Bolton and husband Ken Petch. She is survived by daughter Jennifer (Keith) Babcock of Windsor, Colorado; son Bryan (Kerrie) Petch of Elbert, Colorado; son Brad (Gail) Petch of Belgrade, Montana; six grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and many dear friends. She will be dearly missed. 

The family will hold a celebration of life later in the spring. In lieu of donations, please consider planting some native wildflower seeds, starting a container of seasonal plants on your patio, or enjoying a favorite house plant in memory of Pat.