Patricia Ann Denton

Patricia Ann Denton, 74, died August 29, 2025, at Westminster Village North in Indianapolis. Patti was a journalist for newspapers in Elizabethtown, Ky., and Jacksonville, Fla., before writing about food and restaurants for The Indianapolis News and The Indianapolis Star for several years.
Patti was born in Louisville, Ky., on Dec. 19, 1950, to Dr. Clarence and Betty Denton, who preceded her in death. Her beloved sister, Adel Louise (Denton) Bennett, died in 2006. Patti is survived by her brother-in-law, Harvey Bennett of Evansville, Ind.,her sweet cat, Chessie and many other friends and former colleagues who will cherish her memory, as well.
Patti earned a Bachelor of Arts in music and journalism from Butler University where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. She earned a Master of Arts in journalism from Michigan State University.
During her food journalism career, she made good friends with people in the Indianapolis food scene and organized the annual Christmas cookie contest in The Star, where amateur bakers submitted their cookies and celebrity chefs and cooks judged the entries.
After leaving The Star, she hosted a weekly radio show, "Too Many Cooks," on WICR (88.7 FM). She also worked at R Bistro as a hostess and later at R2GO specialty food market.
Patti was a college basketball fanatic. During March Madness she was known to ignore phone calls if she was watching her favorite team, the University of Kentucky Wildcats, play on TV. She also traveled to other cities to watch the NCAA Final Four in person.
She loved everything to do with the arts – music, dance, visual arts, movies and plays. First Fridays at the Harrison Center and the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis were among her favorite things to see and do.
Patti continued to live optimistically and fully after her diagnosis of colon cancer, a disease that she faced with grace and dignity for several years.
In December 2024, Patti moved from her longtime home in Irvington to Westminster Village North, where she joined in many activities and made several new friends.
A memorial service will take place at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 16, in the chapel at Westminster Village North, 11050 Presbyterian Dr, Sycamore Building 4, Indianapolis, IN 46236.
Memorial contributions in Patti's name can be made to Vanderburgh Humane Society, 400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN 47710, or vhslifesaver.orgways-to-donate/memorial. A live link to donate is below Patti's photo in the menu column.
The family would like to thank Dr. Agarwala, Dr. Gowdamarajan, the hospice at Community Hospital East and the staff of Westminster Village North for their care.