Patricia Jane Middleton Covington

Patricia Jane Middleton Covington, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on July 27, 2026, at Saint Luke’s Hospice House in Kansas City. She was 87 years old.

Pat was deeply loved by her family and by the many friends whose lives she touched throughout her years. She will be remembered for her extraordinary generosity, genuine kindness, warm wit, and the thoughtful care she showed to the people around her. Her absence will be deeply felt, but the love she gave so freely will remain with her family and friends always.

A graveside service will be held on August 4, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Moriah Cemetery South, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64131.

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held later that day at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel at Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208. A reception will follow in Friendship Hall at Village Presbyterian Church from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Pat was born Patricia Jane Middleton on June 8th, 1939, in Dallas, Texas, to Roy Allen Middleton and Indian Maureen Morgan Middleton. As a young child, she moved with her family to Webster Groves, Missouri, where she spent her earliest years before the family settled in Kansas City in 1948.

She attended Hale Cook Elementary School and Southwest High School, where she was an active and accomplished student. Pat participated in field hockey, volleyball, softball, basketball, choir, musicals, and concerts. She also formed many enduring friendships through Philo Sorority—friendships she would treasure throughout her life.

After graduating from Southwest High School in 1957, Pat attended the University of Missouri in Columbia. She studied education, following in the footsteps of her mother and both of her grandmothers. While at Mizzou, she was an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta, Panhellenic, and women’s athletics. One of the honors she cherished most was being recognized as the member who best personified Theta’s ideals of honor and friendship. She graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science in Education.

In August 1961, Pat married William Covington at Country Club Christian Church. The two began their married life in St. Louis, where Pat taught fifth grade at North Glendale Elementary School in Kirkwood, Missouri. Their daughter, Susan Anne, was born in 1963, followed by their son, Michael William, in 1969. The family lived for several years in both Kansas City and New Jersey before returning permanently to the Kansas City area.

Pat devoted herself wholeheartedly to her children and their lives. She served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den leader, Boy Scout Mother’s Club president, and PTA president. She attended countless school events, activities, performances, and sporting events, always offering her time, encouragement, and support.

Her love of history was especially evident during America’s Bicentennial year, when she organized an ambitious year of celebrations for the students of Trailwood Elementary School. Pat later served on the PTA boards of Indian Creek Junior High and Shawnee Mission South High School and was active in the Kansas City, Kansas Junior League.

Pat worked for the Shawnee Mission School District in the special education department and in substitute services and wrote insurance policies at BMA before spending the last 20 years of her professional life as an Expeditor for the school district’s supply center. She also worked as a wedding planner and later served as a wedding coordinator at Village Presbyterian Church.

In 2011, she joined the Mission Hills Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her involvement brought together two things she valued deeply: her love of American history and her enjoyment of meaningful friendships. During her years with the organization, she served in several leadership positions, including Chapter Regent and Kansas State American History Chair.

Above all else, Pat treasured her family. She never allowed a birthday or Christmas to pass without making each person feel celebrated and loved.

Pat is survived by her daughter, Susan Covington Hansen, and husband, Bruce; her son, Michael Covington, and wife, Antoinette; her eight grandchildren, Julia, Madeleine and her husband Andrea, Payton, Austin and his wife Olivia, William, Daniel, Chris, and Tyron; her two great-grandchildren, Scarlett and Rowan; her sister, Barbara Dietrich; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her loving parents and brother-in-law, John Dietrich.

Those who knew Pat will remember her gracious spirit, loyalty, humor, creativity, and genuine curiosity about the world around her. A lifelong history buff, she loved conversation and always wanted to know how others were doing and what was happening in their lives. Above all, she was a kind and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who made those around her feel deeply cared for.

She was well loved, and she will be very deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Daughters of the American Revolution - Mission Hills Chapter, or to Village Presbyterian Church, 6641 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.