Mary Hall Patton

Mary was born on February 3, 1945, in Laurel, Mississippi, to Charles R. Hall and Theda Mae Hall, who both preceded her in death. She grew up in nearby Ellisville, Mississippi, alongside her sister Lisa Burnett, who also preceded her in death, and her brother Warren Hall. Her years growing up in Mississippi and the strong family values instilled in her shaped the woman she became. She cherished the friendships she made throughout her life and maintained many of those connections across the years.

Mary graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in English and Education and soon began her lifelong career as an educator. She met her husband, Keith Patton, and they married in 1969, sharing nearly 57 years together. Mary and Keith built a beautiful life together and raised their daughter, Erica Patton Adamiak (Matthew). She was also a proud grandmother to Olivia Adamiak, whom she loved dearly.

Mary loved her family deeply and treasured time spent together. She enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, and gathering around the table sharing favorite family recipes and stories. To those who knew her, Mary was warm, kind, and always willing to sit down for a meaningful conversation—especially about education, Southern literature, and the people she cared about.

Mary’s passion was teaching. She began her career in Mississippi and relocated to several locations including South Carolina where she also taught. She retired from in-classroom teaching in Colorado with the Cherry Creek School District. During her career in education, she earned her master’s degree in Gifted Education from the University of Denver in 1990. In 1995, Mary joined the Colorado Academy of Educators for the Gifted, Talented and Creative. She also worked with Regis University and was very involved with starting the gifted graduate-school program there including the curricula. Throughout her career, she was a mentor, colleague, and advocate, making a lasting impact on countless students, educators, and families. She truly loved being an educator.

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and member of her community. She supported those around her through her kindness, generosity, and involvement with both her churches and loved ones. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched.

She is survived by her husband, Keith Patton; her daughter, Erica Patton Adamiak (Matthew); her granddaughter, Olivia Adamiak; her brother, Warren Hall (Shannon); and extended family and dear friends who loved her deeply.

Per Mary’s own words: “I know I will face death someday, but I know I learned from my mother to create good memories that will last a lifetime and beyond.”

Please join us in celebrating Mary’s life and honoring the love, kindness, and wisdom she shared with those around her. Her memorial service will be held on July 31 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch.

Mary wished for any donations to be made in her name either to the following organizations she felt passionate about, including the Parkinson’s Foundation, the Parkinson’s Association of the Rockies, Parkinson’s Pointe, The Alzheimer’s Association, and the American Heart Association or a charity of your choice.