Patricia Ann - Age 81 - Los Alamos Graves

PATRICIA ANN GRAVES (Roe) Pat, Grandma, Great Grandma passed away at her home surrounded by her loved ones Saturday, March 16, 2013 at the age of 81.\r\nPat was born at the family home in Abilene, Texas to Ruby Jo and William S. Roe on July 13, 1931.\r\nPat grew up visiting her grandparents farm each summer with her many cousins. She graduated from Abilene High School in 1948 and began her higher education that summer at Hardin Simmons University. In the fall she attended School of Mines (UTEP) at El Paso. In a hurry to get on with her life she graduated with her bachelor’s degree (P.E) in 3 years. Pat wanted to teach. At nineteen she began her teaching career in Midland, Texas; where she roomed with her favorite cousin Nancy Allen Hutto (deceased) who also taught. It was in Midland where she met her husband Roswell McClellan (Mack) Graves (deceased 1997). Pat and Mac were married Aug. 5th 1952. They then moved to Hobbs, NM. Pat began teaching at St. Helena’s Parochial School.\r\nPat and Mac enjoyed Hobbs and made many friends while living there. They began their family there. Pat had relatives in Los Alamos (Dorothy and Pick Allen) and there were many family visits here. Eventually Pat and Mack’s love for the mountains drew them here. After applying and landing a job teaching, they began their life here in 1968. Pat taught in the classroom at Mountain Elementary for several years before becoming a P.E. teacher for all elementary schools. P.E. lasted until Pat did too many fun games and calisthenics and had knee surgery. Back to the classroom it was. At Mesa Elementary she began a lifelong friendship with her teaching buddy Jeane Ferrell. Pat continued teaching with Jeane at Aspen until 1996 when she retired after the administration insisted on putting a computer in her room! Pat taught countless children in Los Alamos. Her 5th grade classroom at Aspen was a reflection of her love of sports and the Dallas Cowboys, going as far as having treats Monday morning if her beloved Cowboys won a game, and wearing black for losses. Many of her students still love her Cowboys!!\r\nDuring her career she was invited to the White House by Nancy Reagan for conferences on the “Just Say no to Drugs” initiative and was the driving force in implementing the first drug education programs here in Los Alamos.\r\nPat touched the lives of many students. She loved them all. Most of all Pat loved her family. Pat left this world a better place. She is survived by her Beagle, Betsy Ross; her children, Michael Roswell and wife Orly of Vegas, Andrew Roe and wife Nancy of Los Alamos, Gretchen and Bruce Kormick of Los Alamos, Matthew (Sherry) Graves; grandchildren, Stefanie (Jason) Dubanwitz, Kristy (Chris) Ortega, James (Sarah) Keane, Chelsea Chairion and Ariel Graves; great-grandchildren, Gabby, Taylor and Armondo Dubanwitz, Raegan and Colin Keane and Olivia Ortega.\r\nA celebration of her life will take place on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 at 11:00am. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Emily Bradley Memorial Fund http://www.riversandbirds.org/about/memorials/emily-l-bradley-memorial-fund, Rivers & Birds Mailing Address P.O. Box 819, Arroyo Seco, NM 87514\r\nMay her spirit live on with our Lord in Heaven where it’s always 73◦ and the Cowboys win Super bowls. The cowboys have lost their biggest fan. The family of Patricia Ann Graves has entrusted their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley.

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