Patricia Ann Barton

Patricia Ann “Pat” Barton, 80, of Peoria, — beloved mother and grandmother, finest of friends and philanthropists, lover of beasts and books and beauty — died at 4:40 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at Richard Owens Hospice Home.

She was born Nov. 27, 1942, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, the daughter of George and Billie Shleppey. Her mother was a famed “wing-walker” in the 1920s. Her father was a pilot who operated an aviation transport company in Central America and flew for the American government during Pat’s youngest years. After moving back to the U.S., Pat and older sisters Sydney and Jackie continued their eclectic upbringing in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Pat studied sociology at Christian College in Columbia, MO, where she met and married Glen Barton in 1961. She embraced her new role as part of the Caterpillar family while efficiently and gracefully moving her own growing family from Kenya to Nigeria to Switzerland to Peoria to Switzerland to Peoria to Cleveland to Peoria to San Diego and back to Peoria, where she finally found her forever home.

After 50 years in and out of Peoria, especially after her divorce, Pat considered it a gift to have a community of kind and supportive friends. She was the best of companions, always quick with a quip or a raucous laugh, especially at snarky gossip. Despite her cosmopolitan background — cooking classes at the Cordon Bleu, anyone? — she was no-nonsense about her favorite forms of nonsense: Harry Potter. Game of Thrones. Pretty much anything with a dragon in it.

And she made a mean margarita.

Perhaps more importantly, Pat was a gift to Peoria in return, making it her mission to be an “assette” to the community. Often taking the lead, tartly, she served with Center for Prevention of Abuse, Crittenton Centers, what is now known as Easterseals, Entre Nous, Girl Scouts, Lakeview Museum, Peoria Area Community Foundation, the Peoria Public Library, YWCA. She was a founding member of the board for Peoria Riverfront Museum.

Surviving are her son, Jeff (Susan) Barton, of Winnetka; daughter, Jennifer (Brian) Dieter, of Ames, Iowa; grandsons, Noah and George; granddaughters, Rachel and Abby; and many admiring friends almost as close as family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, her dogs Loki, Kaz, Steve and Thor; and cats, Isis and Minerva.

After battling chronic lung disease throughout the pandemic, with a minimum of whining, Pat decided she did not wish to have a funeral service. Her family appreciates your kindness and support. Many thanks to the fine folks at Buehler Home and OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home.

If you want to commemorate Pat, we suggest you pet a dog, visit a museum, raise a glass with friends, and/or give generously to the local causes that mean the most to you.