Patricia Ann Barrett

Patti Barrett, the sixth of ten children, brought style, laughter, and warmth wherever she went. Her siblings fondly remember her for her fashion sense, magnetic personality, and natural ability to bring fun to any room. From a young age, she embraced the joys and responsibilities of a large family. In her childhood on the farm, she helped with daily chores and especially loved caring for and trying to ride their Shetland pony, Blackie.

Her family later moved to Indianapolis, settling into a modest three-bedroom, one-bathroom home where Patti was known for lovingly “holding the bathroom hostage.” She attended George Washington High School, like her siblings, and proudly played clarinet in the marching band. Patti cherished her time in the band, especially marching in the Indy 500 parade. During high school, she worked at Dairy Queen alongside her siblings Bob, Donnie, and Marcia, humorously claiming they invented the first DQ Blizzard.

In her early twenties, Patti married Raymond Van Ashmun and moved to Peoria, Illinois, where she became a mother to three daughters: Kathleen, Christine, and Dawn. After her divorce, she returned to work as an administrative assistant—a role in which she took great pride. Patti later met her second husband, Jim Dixon, and in 1985, they moved the family to Safety Harbor, Florida. She continued her career there and valued the strong connections she built with her colleagues. Patti was unmarried at the time of her passing.

She retired in her early 60s and later moved to Lakeland, Florida to be closer to her children and grandchildren. Family remained the center of her life. She maintained close ties with her extended family in Indianapolis, visiting as often as she could to stay connected with her aunts, uncles, siblings, and their children.

In retirement, Patti enjoyed crocheting, watching anything starring Tom Selleck or Steve McQueen, and researching her family’s history. She took special pride in documenting the Ledgerwood-Barrett genealogy and honoring the many family members who served in the military—always donating to veterans’ charities first.

She adored her grandchildren and was a patient, fun, and curious teacher to them. Her knack for learning new technology impressed them all, and her love for them knew no bounds.

Patti is deeply loved and missed by her daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, many nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends she made along the way. Patti’s legacy is one of love, resilience, humor, and family. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

She is survived by her children: Kathleen Ashmun Harding (Richard Harding) and Christine Ashmun Gallo (Richard Gallo); grandchildren, Shane Huddleson, Mitchell Harding, Isabella Gallo, Torie Harding, Sophia Gallo; and her siblings, Bob Barrett (Carole), Mike Barrett (Laura), Marcia Barrett Parsons (Charles Parsons), Peggy Barrett, Janet Barrett, Joanie Barrett, John David Barrett (Lynn), and Fred Barrett. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Dawn Ashmun in 2018 and brother, Donny Barrett in 1969.

Celebration of life for Patti will be conducted on Saturday, August 16 from 10:30 to 12:30 at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Road, Gotha, Florida 34734.