Patricia Kay Singleton

1941 - 2024

Patricia Kay Singleton

January 30, 1941 - June 15, 2024

Fort Worth, Texas - Patricia Kay Kallenberger Singleton was born on January 30, 1941, in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of Ralph Hubert and Martha Frances Kallenberger. She gently passed away into the arms of her Lord on June 15, 2024, at the age of 83 with her loving son and daughter-in-law by her side.

Patricia, Pat or Tricia, as she was known to her family, was the middle child with an older brother, Kent, and younger brother, Kreg. Tricia's father worked for Sinclair Oil Company, and in her youth the family moved several times, ultimately residing in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1951. Tricia graduated from Tulsa Central High, and attended the University of Tulsa (TU), as a Kappa Kappa Gamma with a major in Education. She later completed a BA and earned a MA in Education from Chapman University in Southern California. Her two brothers also earned advanced degrees. An extended education, seemingly at least, was of paramount importance in this family. Either that, or perhaps these three preferred school to the alternative. Just as that is said in humor, in truth however, for Tricia in her life, there existed a certain devotion or focus that was almost intuitive to her being, to childhood reading and elementary education. This was, perhaps, her personal ethos.

Tricia had two other core, innate traits: an instinctive cooking ability (partially learned from careful observance of her own mother) and a near elemental desire for organization in her life. She was a planner and a doer, thoughtfully and earnestly detailed in action. She would formulate a plan and organize; and, then re-organize; and then, re-organize again. Woe to the person who might interfere with this intrinsic, fundamental structure that was part of her essence.

While at TU Pat met her future husband, I. Jerry Singleton. They married in 1961. Jerry was an aeronautical engineer, ROTC, and became a USAF test pilot. One of his early assignments was to Glasgow, Montana "the stepping stone to falling off the earth" she once said. It was there that both Steven and Sherri, their two children, were born. In what some might observe as a fortuitous coincidence, Jerry's last assignment was to Fort Worth, Texas, a coming home of sorts. But later, challenges arose at home and they divorced.

In perhaps her biggest life challenge, Tricia became a survivor. She was diagnosed with an aggressive, metastatic breast cancer in 1991 and given a low likelihood of 5 year survival. Her treatment included a radical mastectomy and multiple other procedures, with an associated 18 month intensive regimen of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Over the next 33 years, Tricia would undergo more than 15 surgical procedures as a result of complications from her incredibly potent cancer treatment, including muscle transfers and skin grafts. As a burden from the repercussions of the treatment, Tricia lost her hair, lost much of her vision, lost her hearing and balance, and lost her height and physical stamina; but, she never lost her gratitude and caring spirit. And as she endured these multiple side-effects, Tricia continued throughout to teach 4th grade at FWCDS and, subsequently then, to work as a private tutor. It was in this time that she adopted the name of "Cookie", suggested to her by some of her students, which became her sobriquet.

Cookie's grandchildren were her life-giving angels and greatest joys. When the first two of her grandchildren were born life-threateningly premature at 27.5 weeks, Cookie dedicated herself to these twin boys, attending to them during their lengthy hospitalization and in assisting through the multitude of nursing and doctor visits the initial two years of their lives. And in her spirit of courteous, continual care with these two Singleton boys, there developed a unique bond with her daughter-in law, Marion.

Naturally, when her own daughter's family grew to two children, Cookie's respectful and constant self-giving to the two young Dunn children became her focus. Cookie read sincerely, crafted frequently, baked elaborately, and watched many of their performances and matches. With her son-in-law Drake, a similar and equally special relationship emerged. She enthusiastically shared with all of the grandchildren her own passions surrounding books, gardening, and cooking and baking.

Later in her life and up until the year 2017, Cookie rented summer vacation spots in the Colorado mountains near Vail, Colorado. She would invite her family and friends to visit and to stay 1-2 weeks at a time. She would visit the Vail Public Library and walk outside during the day. And then in the evening, Cookie, sometimes with a grandchild's assistance, would prepare a dinner for all to savor. Her family and grandchildren indulgently hold and affectionately value these summer memories.

Even today, Cookie would say she is indebted to her family, her friends, her teacher colleagues, her daughter-in-law and son-in-law, all of whom drove her, spent the night with her, and in so many other various ways, helped her navigate a long path of graceful continuance. In truth, all of us were the actual blessed as we, while in our observance of her very life, learned from her how to be humble, thankful, and passionate servants.

A Celebration of Life ceremony honoring Patricia Kay Singleton will be held at The Tradition, October 5, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

The Tradition.

5755 Clearfork Main Street.

Fort Worth, Texas 76109.

(817) 952-5857.

Patricia Kay Kallenberger Singleton, Survived by: Brother Kent Kallenberger and wife Audrey of El Dorado, Kansas, Brother Kreg Kallenberger and wife Chris of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Son Steven B Singleton, MD, and wife Marion of Avon, Colorado, Son-in-law Thomas Drake Dunn, Grandsons Jon Thomas Singleton (Denver, Colorado), Jake Kallen Singleton (Chicago, Illinois) Hutchison Drake Dunn (Dallas, Texas); and granddaughter Halle Lynn Dunn (College Station, Texas), and multiple cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Preceded by: Parents Ralph Hubert Kallenberger (1979) and Martha Frances Thomas Kallenberger (1984), Daughter Sherrill Lynn Singleton Dunn (2018).

Cookie had a simple way about her that made everyone special, an inspiration. For memorials in honor of Tricia/Cookie, and in lieu of flowers, please consider the following organizations, all of which were important to her.

1. UTSouthwestern Medical Center (214) 648-2344.

https://engage.utsouthwestern.edu/gratitude.

UT Southwestern Medical Center.

P.O. Box 910888.

Dallas, TX 75391-0888.

Memo: "In honor of Patricia K Singleton, with gratitude to UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Cancer Center or The Fund for UT Southwestern"

2. Simply Grace House (214) 774-9808.

https://simplygracehouse.com.

3. Vail Public Library (970) 479-2184 or 2187.

https://vaillibrary.com/support-your-library-friends/.

Memo: In the NOTES section, please indicate "In memory of Patricia K. Singleton, Vail Public Library Children's Program".