Patsy Ruth Giffin

Patsy Ruth Giffin died peacefully in her sleep on July 17, 2024, three days after her 93rd birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard Lee Giffin and Mary Irene Dorka and by Flora Talmadge, her beloved grandmother who raised her.

The theater so fascinated Patsy that she majored in drama at New Mexico Highlands University. She taught English at Sandia High until she was named the drama teacher there and so began a period of singularly fine productions. She directed with flare, enthusiasm and a really thorough understanding of exactly what each play should sound like and look like on the stage, and her students and their audiences appreciated the results. After Patsy retired from teaching, the Sandia High Theater was renamed the Patsy R. Giffin Theater to honor her achievements. At the formal celebration of that change, crowds of her former students took the opportunity to thank her for all she had given them.

Patsy will also be remembered for her delight in travel, for her engaging conversation often spiced with her unique sense of humor, for her intellectual curiosity, and for her love of anything that sparkled!

Rest in peace, Patsy!