Patricia Lou McCauley Carleton

Patricia “Pat” Lou McCauley Carleton passed away on October 1, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She will be remembered for her generous heart, creative spirit, and the many ways she used her talents to bless the lives of others.

Pat was born on June 3, 1935, in Marietta, Ohio, to Robert Francis and Dorothy Moore McCauley. She graduated from Marietta High School in 1953 and attended Marietta College, where she used her keen intellect to study fine arts, mathematics, and physics. Music was at the heart of Pat’s life, and while playing the clarinet in the Marietta High School band she met fellow band member and trombonist William “Bill” Carleton, the love of her life. They married on July 24, 1955, beginning a wonderful life together.

Pat’s love of music continued throughout her life. She shared her musical gifts by teaching piano lessons for many years and served as an organist for more than 50 years at churches throughout the area. Riverside United Methodist Church was an especially meaningful part of her life where she served as organist there from 1972 to 1981 and again from 1989 to 2019. She also gave her time generously as a Circle leader, Christmas Workshop organizer, and member of its Family Enrichment, Gourmet, and Craft groups.

Pat also had a love of learning and finished her degree at The Ohio State University, where on August 30, 1984, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design with a focus in Visual Communication. Her early work included designing metal historical markers for Sewah Studios in Marietta. In Columbus, she brought her talents to Visual Syntax, SRA, and McGraw-Hill, where she worked in the art and design department and as a digital archivist for educational textbooks and digital materials. She retired in 2014 after a long and creative career.

Pat was a talented painter and fiber artist. She worked in oils, watercolors, and pastels and lovingly created paintings, needlepoint pillows, sewing projects, and many other treasures for family and friends. Her artwork has been exhibited at the Tremont Library, the Ohio State Fair, Fifth Avenue Gallery in Grandview, and the McGraw-Hill Corporate Center. Sharing her gifts with many, Pat also illustrated books and programs, including a children’s book, an Ohio Statehouse Christmas card, cookbooks, and garden books.

Pat’s love of music, the arts, and gardening guided her years of service to the community. She served as president of the Women’s Association of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the Opera Columbus Guild, the Columbus Music Teachers’ Association, and the Upper Arlington Garden Council. In 1993, her generous commitment to others was recognized with the Rotary Club of Upper Arlington’s Service Above Self Award.

Pat’s happiest times were the years she spent traveling the world with Bill, and she especially loved their many trips to Disney World with their family. Together, Pat and Bill made warm and welcoming homes in Marietta, Upper Arlington, New Albany, and later in Hilliard.

Pat loved her family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Bill, her three daughters, Luanne Carleton, Karen (Mark) Eboch, and Julie (Sean) Martin; and her grandchildren, Katherine Eboch, Max Eboch, Seamus (Siobhan) Martin, and Mackenzie (Nicholas) Hutter, and her sisters Beverly Klecker and Janine Balling. Pat is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael Moore McCauley. Her family will carry forward her love.

Pat’s family is especially grateful to Liz Franklin, her devoted home caregiver, and to Capital City Hospice for the kindness and compassionate care they gave Pat and those who loved her.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Pat’s memory may make a donation to the Ohio Music Teachers Association at ohiomta.org, celebrating the love of music that enriched her life and so many others, or to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.

A time for family and friends to gather will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 4 at Scioto Ridge United Methodist Church, 4343 Dublin Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026. Special organ music and the service will follow at 3:30 p.m. at the church.