Patsy Hunter, 1948-2008
Vail, CO Colorado
Patsy Louise Ratcliff Hunter, a 24-year resident of the Vail Valley, passed away after a three-and-a-half-year battle with cancer on Monday. She had just celebrated her 60th birthday.
She was born in Monroe, La.,on June 30, 1948, and graduated in 1971 from Northwestern University in Natchitoches, La., with a five-year nursing degree.
Upon graduation, she moved to Denver to begin her long career in nursing. It is there that she met her future husband, Tripp. They were married in 1983 and moved to Vail the following year.
She worked at Vail Valley Medical Center for over 21 years as a loving and dedicated nurse, bringing humor, intelligence and heart to every endeavor. After having to retire from Vail Valley Medical Center due to illness, she spent her time volunteering at The Betty Ford Gardens and at home gardening on Daisy Lane.
She loved her sewing and was learning the art of quilting from her close friend, Cathy Smith. Patsy was passionate about nature and enjoyed skiing, hiking and fishing.
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She especially loved camping and RV touring with her husband in the camper trailer she bought on eBay. Many of her days were spent walking and playing with her beloved standard poodles and, most recently, with her Yorkshire terrier, Cody.
Pasty is survived by her husband, Tripp Hunter; daughter Ellis Hunter; mother Terry B. Ratcliff, of Albany, Ga.; brother Daryl Ratcliff and wife Lisa, of Shreveport, La.; sister Brenda Kilman and husband Eddy, of Auburn, Ala.; sister Therese Thomas and husband Tommy, of Albany, Ga.; father-In-law Dr. Robert Edward Hunter Jr. and wife Beege, of Bradenton, Fla.
Patsy was preceded in death by her father, Manuel Beryl Ratcliff.
She is remembered by a myriad of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and dear friends who loved her.
A celebration of life will be held at The Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 455 Nottingham Ranch Road on Saturday at 4 p.m., with a reception to follow at Broken Arrow Cafe at the base of Arrowhead Mountain. In lieu of flowers, a nurse’s scholarship memorial fund has been established in her name at 1st Bank of Avon.
