- Date Of Birth: December 24, 1929
- Date Of Death: June 19, 2016
- State: Florida
Patricia Saxton Carey, 86, born December 24, 1929, joined the Lord and her beloved Ted, devoted husband of 56 years. She passed gracefully June 19, 2016, surrounded by her loving family.
Pat is survived by her daughters Beth (Neil), Kim (Gary), and Jill; her granddaughters Carey (Sean), and Emily; and her great-granddaughter Caitlin. Surviving extended family members include cousins Bobbe MacDonald, Nancy Holzen, and Bill Behnke, Jr.; and extended family includes James A. Saxton, III and family, Janie Fredericks and family, Donald Saxton, Danny Saxton. She was predeceased by her husband, Ted (Alfred) Carey, her mother and father, Margaret and James A. Saxton, as well as her brother, James A. Saxton, Jr.
Patty Saxton was born in Pittsburgh, PA, where she met the love of her life, Ted Carey, in 7th grade. She and Ted attended Bethany College in West Virginia. At Bethany, Pat was an officer in her sorority, Kappa Delta, and participated in several campus organizations. Pat and Ted hosted their own radio show at Bethany. There she was also honored with many a tender serenade below her balcony by her sweetheart, Ted. Throughout their lives together, the white roses of Sigma Nu symbolized their passionate devotion to one another. They graduated from Bethany together in 1951.
Pat and Ted married in Mt. Lebanon, PA, that same year. Pat became a Navy wife and teacher at Deep Creek Elementary School in the Dismal Swamp while Ted served as a gunnery officer on the USS Gyatt DD-712 during the Korean War.
Following the war, Pat and Ted moved to Baltimore, MD, where Ted’s career in the space industry began with the Mercury and Gemini programs. In 1967, they moved to Cocoa Beach, where Ted assisted with the Congressional Investigation of the Apollo I fire.
Of greatest importance to Pat was her family. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, teacher, volunteer, and business owner, Pat was a role model for many and staunch supporter of her girls. She was ever-present for nearly every school, sports, arts, and community event to support all six of her girls. School volunteer, clinic lady, swim meet cheerleader and scorer, concession organizer, fundraiser, Girl Scout leader, Indian Maidens Tribal Leader … the list goes on. She would move heaven and earth to attend every meet, game, meeting, campout, horse show, art show, dance recital, awards ceremony and concert possible.
Pat also found time for her own endeavors as an active member of the Cocoa Beach Women’s Club, Kappa Delta sorority, Bethany Alumni Association, Girl Scouts Central Florida Council, Indian Maidens, and St. David’s By The Sea. She enjoyed long family vacations across the US, into Alaska, and Great Britain. Always up for an adventure regardless of age and aches, she hiked, biked, camped, canoed, kayaked, boated, cruised, fished, and golfed with enthusiasm – and usually out-lasted all of us! She was a wicked family game master, slyly trouncing most challengers at Monopoly, Clue, Uno, checkers, chess, air hockey, bunko and bridge, among others.
She is dearly missed by her family including Beth (Neil), Kim (Gary), Jill, Carey (Sean), Emily, and Caitlin. She will be forever remembered for her kindness, generosity, wit, strength, courage and grace.
