Patricia Ann McCraken Grego

Pat’s life was defined by her family and friends, her faith and books – lots of books. She was raised in the Chicago suburb of Hinsdale and always took pride in her Chicago roots. She attended the University of Wyoming in Laramie where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. Pat quit college when she could not decide on a major and moved to Denver where she relished being in her 20’s and working downtown.

She married Daniel F. Grego, whom she met at the University of Wyoming, on February 2, 1963. Dan precedes her death. They had two children, Anne and David.

Pat will be best remembered for the large network of friends and family she and her late husband Dan cultivated over the years. She cherished her friends from University of Wyoming and the friends she made while raising her children at the St. Vincent De Paul Parish and in the Washington Park area of Denver. Pat’s grandchildren, Kaleigh, Jon, Mark and Faith, have many great stories of their adventures with Grandma Pat. Pat delighted in the living near her mother, Annabelle who proceeded her in death, her sisters, Kathleen (Robert) LaBarge and Tara McCraken, and brother Michael (Virginia) McCraken, and her many nieces and nephews. She delighted in running into old friends and family when she was out and about her South Denver neighborhood.

Pat’s faith was exceedingly important to her and brought her great comfort and joy throughout her adult life. She cherished the many friendships she developed at the Mother of God Parish, which she considered her spiritual home.

After Pat’s children were grown, she discovered her vocation in the book business. As a used book dealer, she loved finding old books and reselling them. She was a partner in the Denver Book Mall on South Broadway for many years. At the time of her death, Pat was a book dealer at The Printed Page. Pat enjoyed her fellow book dealers and her customers. Books filled her house and spilled out to wherever she could put them. She found great pleasure in sharing a book with someone, so much so that she was willing to use the internet, even though she truly hated technology.

Pat is survived by her daughter Anne (Ken) Nagel, Riverside, MO; David Grego, Parker, CO; grandchildren Jon, Mark and Faith Nagel & Kaleigh Grego; a brother, Michael (Virginia) McCraken, Frisco, CO; Kathleen (Robert) LaBarge, Denver and Tara McCraken, Denver.

Pat’s funeral mass will be 2 p.m.Tuesday, September 24 at Mother of God Parish at Speer and Logan St.

Memorials can be made to Mother of God Church, 475 Logan St., Denver, CO 80203.