On May 25, Patricia "Pat" Colvard peacefully passed away. Pat was born in 1935 in Canton, OH to Allison and Margaret "Peg" Smith. Pat and Peg moved to Tampa in 1945 after her father was killed serving his country in France during World War II. The family lived in south Tampa and Pat graduated from Plant High School in 1952. Pat remained close to her high school classmates and would organize the annual reunion luncheon.
Pat attended the Univ of Tampa, Univ of Georgia and graduated from the Univ of Michigan w/ a degree in Special Education. She was a sister of Delta Delta Delta sorority. Pat returned to Tampa where she met Reg Colvard. They were married for 56 years until Reg's passing in 2015.
Pat pursued a career in education serving as a teacher for over 35 years. For the last 10 years of her teaching career, Pat taught gifted science at Robert E. Lee Elementary. Pat took pride in her teaching, remaining close to several students throughout the years.
Pat should be most remembered for her charitable work and philanthropy. In the 1970s, she started the first Special Olympics in Daytona Beach, FL. She also served as the President and dedicated member of the Daytona Beach Palmetto Woman's Club. She received the 1974 Halifax Area Woman of the Year Award given by the Palmetto Club.
Returning to Tampa in 1977, Pat was involved in many charitable organizations including McDonald's Training Center, Beach Park Woman's Club, the Boy Scouts of America and Plant High School Boosters. She also served as a board and committee member of the Outback Bowl and chaired the Outback Bowl coaches’ wives luncheon for a decade.
Pat was most passionate about her work with The Chiselers. She served as President and on numerous committees. She tirelessly fundraised each year, and no matter what else was going on in her life, she made it to work the annual market.
Pat's pride and joy were her three granddaughters, Allison, Cara “Cece” and Ginger. Nothing made her happier than visits from the girls. She loved going over to the beach, watching the girls swim and play. Even as her mobility had decreased, she traveled to Atlanta last Christmas to spend the holidays with her entire family.
Pat is survived by her son, John (Stephanie) of Atlanta, GA and their children, Cece and Ginger; her son, Todd (Kelly) of Houston, TX and their daughter, Allison, and her beloved cat Dolly.
The family would like to thank Pat's caregivers for their dedication and care over the past three years. The family would also like to thank Pat's friends who continually checked on her, making sure that she remained an active part of the community.
In accordance with Pat's wishes, there will be no funeral service. Instead, there will be a celebration of her life in the near future. For those wishing to honor Pat, the family would ask for a contribution in her memory to The Chiselers, 401 W Kennedy Blvd Box 103F, Tampa, FL 33606, or a charity of their choice.
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