Patricia Max Barber

Patricia was born Patricia Margaret Wilson in Wales (UK) on May 19, 1936. She was raised on a Welsh farm by Fred and Alice "Effie" Jones (Colley). She had a hard life on the farm but as always could come up with good memories to share. However, farm life was not her 'cup of tea' and when she turned 17 she moved to the big city of Oswestry to start nurses training.

The next phase of Patricia's life was pursuing a career in Nursing with degrees for Orthopedic Nursing, General Nursing, Surgical Nursing, and Midwifery. She dated Doctors, Motorcycle racers, and athletes from various sports and hitchhiked through Europe with her friends. She was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Nursing Corp. Then she moved to London to become a nurse in a factory in London. And there began her next chapter – and her new name "Max".

Max was introduced to her future husband Robert "Bob" Barber by mutual friends. He was an American GI stationed in England and decided he was going to call her "Max". After a rocky start to their courtship, love took over. Soon they were married and were transferred back to the US where their daughter Melany was born. Over the next decades it was typical military life, moving every few years to a different base. But military life suited her and her adventurous spirit. Even though their marriage ended, they remained friends throughout their lives.

Max's next chapter was as a single Mom living in Aurora Colorado. She was involved with all things to support Melany, from PTA to Girl Scouts and everything in between. But she also took on her passion – sports. For several decades she worked for Aurora Parks and Recreation coaching and teaching anyone from age 5-85 her beloved sport of Tennis. Even after retirement she continued to coach and work with Seniors in Tennis and Volleyball.

Once retired Max's next years were spent working Guest Relations for the Colorado Rockies, volunteering at Wings Over the Rockies museum, and travelling with her daughter Melany on adventures – from NASCAR races to Florida Beaches to Las Vegas to visiting friends and family across the country. And everywhere she went she would ultimately run into someone she knew.

The Golden years were not as good to her. Pain and loss of mobility from the years and years of athletics took its toll and traveling and activity became harder. But she took it in stride and never lost her wonderful spirit, golden heart, wit, and British humor that everyone loved. She continued writing cards and letters and rekindled her passion of knitting for as long as her hands would allow.

She lived a long and good life with no regrets (her words) and throughout her life formed lasting friendships, unofficially adopted everyone she could as a daughter or son, and became Nana Max to so many. She will be missed by all but will remain in our hearts forever.

Max is survived by her daughter Melany Barber, her brother-in-law Lavern B 'Barry' Barber Jr, her nephews Alan Jones, Tony Klesert, Mike Klesert and Cory Barber, and her nieces Ann Carter (Jones) and Stacy Barber.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her name to your favorite animal charity.