Patricia Cecilia Denslow passed away September 6th at her daughter’s home in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. Pat was born in Salt Lake City to Allan and Betty Isenhour Denslow, the eldest daughter of four children.
Pat’s mother once described her as “a sweet, loving child, almost too good to be true”. These words continued to describe Pat throughout her life. She was one of the kindest, most forgiving and genuine people who ever lived. She had a unique skill of making everybody feel loved and welcomed. She could never be heard saying a disparaging word about anyone. Every life she touched was brightened by her gentleness, compassion, and effortless humor.
At the same time, she was also an exceedingly strong woman. Her gentle nature made it very easy to forget the hardships and tragedies that she endured during her life. She never let anything defeat her, and always came out the other side of any trial with grace and love in her heart. No matter what life threw at her, Pat remained guileless, even gullible. She always expected the best of people.
Pat started her career as a school teacher at Nibley Park Elementary here in Salt Lake City, where she taught for eight years. She excelled at this, but Pat found herself drawn to the world of labor organizing. Even though she had no experience, a single letter written to the head of the American Federation of Teachers secured her a position which would lead her on adventures around the world. As a prominent member of AFT’s hierarchy, Pat worked tirelessly not only to improve conditions for teachers around the world, but also for causes of social justice, such as when she spent time working on national and local elections in the country of Georgia.
But in spite of her success, Pat’s pride and joy was always her family. She was an extremely devoted and doting mother to her three children, Judith, Rachel and Adam. The only thing she may have loved more than her children were her two grandsons, Sam and Zach. She was also like a second mother to the three children of his sister and best friend, Mary. Pat was always willing to give everything of herself to make the people she loved happy. She was fiercely protective of her family.
Whatever Pat decided to do, she always jumped in with both feet. She was a passionate music lover, especially folk music. She played the guitar and had a beautiful singing voice. She loved antiquing and thrift shopping, and was great collector of many things, including wind-up toys, Navajo pottery and unique rocks. She loved to study religion, history, art and geology. She especially enjoyed learning about new cultures. When she traveled to new countries, she didn’t want to stay in the touristy areas, but wanted to get to know the locals. She was also a huge Star Trek fan. And she positively adored animals, especially her little poodle friend Trixie-Lee and her two cats, Little Girl and Trouble. She was always willing to try anything once, which sometimes got her into trouble, like when her brother Mark talked her into bungee jumping on her 50th birthday. She loved to be the center of attention, even though she would’ve denied that.
Pat was a wonderful, fun and unique woman who will be missed more than can be expressed. She is predeceased by her beloved daughter Rachel, her mother and father, her brother Mark, and her Uncle Dave, Aunt Ruth and Aunt Dorthe. She is survived by her children Judith Danaceau (John) and Adam Walton (Monica); grandchildren Samuel and Zachary Danaceau; siblings Mary Denslow (Doug) and Reynolds “Al” Denslow (Lonna); nephews Jared (Marie), Justin (Amber) Aaron and Isaac (Marylou), and niece Laya (George), and by many friends and other family members, none of whom will ever be quite the same now that she’s gone.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in Pat Denslow’s name to the YWCA, a cause that was very dear to her heart. Donations can be made at https://www.kintera.org/site/c.cuIRJ7NTKrLaG/b.7515947/k.918D/Donate_Online/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp?
Graveside services will be held Friday, Sept. 9th at 10:00 am at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
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