Patricia Manchester

Patricia Alice Harvey Manchester
June 18, 1936 - February 1, 2017
Patricia "Pat" Alice (Harvey) Manchester was born June 18, 1936, in Montrose, Colorado to Clarkson and Edith Harvey. She was the youngest of four children. Patricia passed from this earth on February 1, 2017.
Patricia was raised on a farm in Montrose. Her family were pioneers who settled the Western Slope during the mining boom of the 1800s. She attended high school in Grand Junction, CO, where she met her husband, William "Bill" Manchester. They were married on September 12, 1954. They had four boys together.
Patricia received her certificate in Early Childhood Development from the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO. She served as a Headstart teacher in Grand Junction, CO and in Norman, OK. She also helped design a pre-school program for children with cerebral palsy in Norman, OK.
She and Bill moved to Farmington, NM in 1976. She worked for many years at the Farmington Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the Clean City Committee, and was instrumental in starting the city project to beautify the medians on Main Street in the city with flowers and trees. There are currently over 50 improved medians. She was also known as "Anti Litter", marching in parades and visiting elementary schools, reminding children to keep their part of the world clean.
Patricia was an active member of the Redcoats, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, for many years. She was also an active member of Rotary Club. She retired from volunteering only due to poor health.
Patricia had deep devotion to family and friends. She was remembered for her diplomatic demeanor, her mischievous smile, her love for children and teaching of children. She was an avid gardener and spent many hours outside beautifying everything in the path. She was skilled at canning fruits and vegetables. She was an exceptional historian pertaining to family genealogy and family stories. She was a patron to the arts, loved to travel, and often accompanied Bill on business trips to support him in his role as City Manager. She was a woman who believed in compassion, reason, patience and kindness in all her dealings.
Patricia and Bill were both active for many years in the Four Corners Old Car Club. They were also involved with the Cuatro Estados camping club and 3 River Sams RV club.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; a sister; youngest son, Lane, and one grandson, Brandon.
Patricia is survived by her husband of 62 years; sons, Ken and wife, Joan; Don and wife, Suehelen, and Patrick and wife, Rita; grandchildren, Christopher, Sean, Shannon, Rachelle, Brittain, and Collin, and great-grandchildren, Landen, Ethan, Kadenze, Jonas, Chance, and Evan.
Graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017, at Orchard Mesa Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. in Grand Junction, CO.