Patricia (Parsons) LIGHT

PARSONS, LIGHT, BURKETT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 3/23/2017 at 19:44:09

September 4, 1933 ---- March 18, 2017

Patricia Light passed away peacefully on March 18. Pat was a creative and compassionate mother, wife and community member and musician that showed a remarkable sense of resiliency, always keeping a positive outlook on life.

Pat was born in Eagle Grove, Iowa on Sept. 4, 1933, the daughter of Arthur and Lorene Parsons. She graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa where she met her husband, Kenneth, who went on to serve our country in the army, stationed in Kansas and Colorado. In Colorado three boys were born and the family moved to Wisconsin and later to Athens in 1968 where she earned her Master's Degree in Communications. Pat was an active advocate for education, serving as a Board member for Athens City Schools, Tri County Joint Vocational School, and Board member/Trustee for Hocking College. She served as President of the League of Women Voters, was a Senior Nutrition Advisor for COAD, was a Guardian-at-Litem and worked using her creative skills as Associate Editor at Suzuki World Magazine. She was a Member of the Athens Village.

Pat was pianist and co founder of The High Society Jazz Association and played in the "The Athens Dixieland Band," "Uptown Jazz," among others. She organized many Dixieland excursions on the riverboat and performed at many functions with a wide circle of musician friends. Pat wrote a musical play, "Mama's Mirror," which was performed locally and out of town and she enjoyed her collaboration with Bob Winters and the OVST theater.

Pat enjoyed gardening and is remembered fondly by her family for her delicious homegrown meals and her beautiful flower garden. She had a special group of friends in her "Garden and Karate Club." Pat also enjoyed tennis, auctions and she traveled the world.

Surviving are her sister Mary Burkett of Paw Paw, Michigan; son and caretaker after her decline, Christopher of Athens; her son Randall and his wife Rose, of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Lisa, Katrina, Jessica and Daniel; and great-granddaughter, Verona. Pat was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth and her son John, also her parents, her brother Walter, and special friend, Lawrence.

A remembrance service will take place at Galbraeth Memorial Chapel at 11 a.m. on June 3, 2017.

The Athens Messenger -- Athens, Ohio
March 22, 2017