Patricia Saunders

Patricia Ann Saunders died peacefully in Denver Wednesday, December 23rd 2015 surrounded by her family. Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in Scottsbluff at a later date.

She was born August 2, 1926 in Scottsbluff Nebraska to Robert Emmet and Vivian (Hutchinson) Kelley. After she graduated from SHS in the class of 1944 she moved to Denver to start a three year nursing program at Denver General Hospital. She was united in marriage to Wayne Saunders on September 17th 1946 at her parent’s home in Scottsbluff. To this union were born three children, Vivian, Rick and Patti. In September 1970 she started a 12 month LPN program at St. Mary’s Hospital. Following graduation she started work there in the OB department. Following the merger of St. Mary’s with Regional West Medical Center, she worked in the OB department there until her retirement in 1993.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Scottsbluff for nearly 60 years where she served on the Session and as a Deaconess. Her church activities were important to her as were the many lifetime friends she made there. Pat and Wayne enjoyed travelling; the trip to Germany to visit Rick and his family and the one to New York with their dear friends Marion and Caroline Humphrey were at the top of her list of favorites.

Her greatest love was her family; they were the center of her universe. Her love for her family was unconditional and without end. Her joy grew with the addition of grand kids and later great grand kids. Everyone in the family knew whenever you walked in the door you would be smothered with hugs and kisses. Whatever the occasion, the time spent at the house Wayne built on Dineen was filled with love, laughter and good food. She may no longer be with us, but she is just a memory away.

Survivors include her children, Viv (Al) Amundson Littleton CO; Rick (Judy) Saunders of Augusta GA; and Patti Stogsdill Aurora CO; 6 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; her brother Bob (Jo) Kelley of Oceanside CA. and sister-in-law Ramona Warner of Scottsbluff and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, an older brother and sister, and the love of her life, her husband of 62 years.