Patricia L Burkey

A loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Patricia Burkey’s spirit left this world. She left the world a better place with her loving care and generous help given to all who’s life she touched.

Patricia Lynn Binkley was born on November 30, 1936 in Lewisburg, Tennessee to the parents of Walter Clyde Binkley and Mary Alma Hursh. Patricia had three siblings, a sister Jaquelyn Blount, and two brothers Don Binkley and Steven Binkley. Pat was known in her family to have quite the vocabulary as a two-year-old. This was a sign of her love of people and conversation to come throughout her life. Pat’s maternal grandmother Ada Hursh was a piano teacher and choir director at the First Presbyterian Church where Pat attended regularly. Pat was an active child and enjoyed being outside during her early years. During grade school she played piano, took dance lessons, went horseback riding and sang in the church choir. When Pat was an adolescent the family moved to Texas where Pat learned to love caring for and riding a neighbor’s horses.

Mary Binkley tutored other children in their home. Walter Binkley was a Naval Captain and Engineer. Pat’s family moved often due to her father’s profession and the family once lived in Newfoundland, Canada. Walter served in World War II and was involved in the Normandy Landing. After the war the family moved to Naples, Italy where Pat’s father worked as a NATO engineer and a SEABEES Captain. The SEEBEAS were busy rebuilding bridges and dams in Italy that had been destroyed during the war. In 1952 to 1954 Pat attended The Armed Forces Dependents High School in Naples. It was during this time that she travelled in Europe and gained an appreciation for other cultures’ languages, art, music and cuisine. Back in the state’s soldiers brought back Italian foods like pizza and Pat’s favorite was spaghetti. Being a teenager in the 50’s, Pat’s schoolmates were following trends like wearing matching sweater sets, saddle shoes and socks that matched your sweater. Dancing to doo wop and early rock and roll was all the rage. Pat disliked Elvis even though he was popular at the time. She preferred modern jazz and classical piano music. Pat returned to Lewisburg and graduated from Marshall County High School in the spring of 1954

After High School Pat enrolled at Stevens College in Columbia, Missouri and studied humanities and physical education. At the time it was an all woman’s college. It was a formal school where a woman could not have a car unless her boyfriend drove it. Pat became a skilled swimmer, tennis and basketball player. She once hit a hole in one on a round of golf. Pat was recruited as a summer camp counselor at camp Tiyalaka in Wisconsin. In 1955 at the camp she met Carolyn Burkey from Whiting, Indiana who was also studying physical education. Carolyn also had three siblings and a father who worked as an engineer. The two young ladies struck up quite a friendship and had many fun experiences together. Pat came home for a weekend with Cary and met Cary’s brother Steele Burkey. Pat and Steele began a courtship that would span their college years. Steele, Pat and Cary attended Indiana University.

Pat and Steele married in Lewisburg, Tennessee on August 31st, 1957. Being influenced by his father in law’s career, Steele became a Naval officer. Steele graduated at the top of his class at the Naval Officer Candidate School and went on to Naval Intelligence training. Pat’s brother Don enlisted in the Navy and worked on numerous projects in the SEABEES. Pat’s first son Clinton Steele Burkey was born on October 14th, 1958 in Charleston, South Carolina. The couple then moved to Hawaii where Steele took his first duty station. In 1960 family moved to San Diego, California and her second son Clayton Wade Burkey was born on November 17th, 1962. Pat enrolled in studies at San Diego State and continued her interest in athletics and soon began teaching and coaching. Pat’s sister Jackie Binkley and Steele’s sister Joan Burkey came to stay with her while Steele was at sea. The two young boys both had a nanny for the summer. Pat and Steele had an illuminating experience living in Southern California in the 1960’s. Pat was involved in several campaigns for social justice. Steele left Naval service in 1969 and the family moved to Columbia City, Indiana.

Pat started coaching swimming at the Columbia City Burnsworth Memorial Pool and substitute teaching at Columbia City Joint high school. Pat became well liked by the students and swimmers and began mentoring many of them. She took a special interest in a young man named Bob Bauer. Pat’s brother Steven was known for travelling the country in his Volkswagen van and visited the family in the summers. The boys grew fond of Steven and admired his sense of adventure and charisma. There were usually teenagers hanging around the house doing homework, having fun, engaging in intellectual conversations and discussing world problems. In 1971 Pat began coaching at the Warsaw YMCA just about 30 miles West on US 30.

In 1974 the family moved to Warsaw, and Pat became the aquatic director and a swim coach at the Warsaw YMCA. Pat continued mentoring young people involved with swimming and adopted Bob Bauer into her family. In Warsaw Pat became well respected in the community for her dedication to the Aquatic program and her mentoring. Bob Bauer went on to a successful engineering career and is married with four children. Pat was a pioneering woman in swim coaching. When she began as a head coach there were few female swim coaches. Pat achieved many invitational and state championships over her 31-year career at the YMCA. She was widely recognized by her colleagues as a leading stroke coach having won many championships with her youngest swimmers. Pat travelled yearly to coaching workshops and swimming stroke clinics. She guided many of her swimmers to college swimming scholarships and to teaching and coaching positions around the country.

Pat’s niece Ada Marie Blount came to live with her for her freshman year in high school and the two developed a lasting loving relationship. Pat Travelled every year to her favorite place, the family property on Lake Chatuge in North Carolina to visit her parents and siblings. Pat was an active member at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church and travelled with the group on fishing trips just for the scenery. Pat loved to travel by train and made numerous trips out East from the Chicago lines. She had breakfast regularly at her favorite diner the Cozy Cottage. In 1980 Clint moved to Pinellas County Florida where Don Binkley, Steve Binkley and Joan (Burkey) Schulkers all reside. In 2000 Clay moved there as well and started a new career teaching and coaching swimming following in his mother’s footsteps.

In November of 2001 Pat retired from the Warsaw YMCA and moved to Englewood, Florida. Upon retiring Pat began a new regiment of health and fitness for herself. Pat would walk and swim at Englewood beach and lift weights at the YMCA. She had a disciplined regiment of health foods, vitamins and supplements. In Englewood Pat quickly settled into a routine of volunteering as an assistant swim coach at Lemon Bay High School and the Englewood family YMCA. Pat was regularly consulted regarding daily operations at the YMCA. Pat kept busy helping swimmers refine their strokes and lower their times. She travelled with the teams to countless swim meets and kept a volume of results sheets. Pat was appointed as an activity director at the Elsie Quirk Library scheduling Art History lectures and coordinating the book club. She later served as a board member. Pat also volunteered at the Englewood community Hospital donating her time as an osteoporosis support group coordinator. She mentored grade school and high school students through the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. Pat also served on the board of the program. Pat became universally liked in the Englewood community as a volunteer, mentor, advisor and neighbor. She was regularly recognized by various organizations for her commitment to helping others with their mental, intellectual and physical fitness. Pat was given numerous accommodations for her outstanding volunteer service. Pat continued her love for train travel and would regularly travel North from Florida to visit family and friends. She loved living in old Englewood and the shops on Dearborn Street. Her favorite restaurant was the Mango Bistro because of the friendly workers, live music and excellent chai tea.

Pat had a deep appreciation for film, literature, music and art. A couple of her favorite movies were To Kill A Mockingbird and Camelot. Some of her favorite books were From Here to Eternity, When A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Great Santini, and Once An Eagle. Her favorite visual artists were John Singer Sargent and Andrew Wyeth. She loved classical music and light 60’s folk rock. Her favorite musician was James Taylor. Pat also had a love for the outdoors. She spent time in her yard taking care of her plants. She loved lighthouses and once went on a light house hunting trip. She was an avid bird watcher and often referred to her Audubon Illustrated Encyclopedia of Birds.

Most of all, Pat was a very giving person. When she met someone new she would ask how she could help them. She liked to hum tunes while doing regular tasks and had a contagious laugh. Pat made many charitable contributions and was always giving gifts to people. She was an inspiration to many and had an immeasurable influence of countless people. Pat would often say “You should always be nice no matter what”.

Pat’s sister Jaquelyn (Binkley) Blount preceded her in death. She is survived by two brothers, Steven Binkley and Don Binkley, and three sons, Clinton Steele Burkey, Clayton Wade Burkey and Robert Bauer. She is also survived by a niece, Ada (Blount) Chrisman, nephews Don Binkley Jr. and John Walter Binkley, granddaughters Isabella Burkey, Jerrica Bauer, Julianna Bauer, Lauren Bauer, grandson Derek Bauer, great cousin Prissy (Hursh) Alhert, and uncle John Hursh. Pat spent her last months at home with her sons in Clearwater and received many visits from friends and family. Patricia passed away peacefully on October 10th, 2018 at 6:10 pm under the care of the nursing angels at the Hospice House in Palm Harbor, Florida. May Pat’s caring spirit and lively heart live on forever within those whom she has touched.

A Celebration of life and Holy Eucharist will be held on Saturday November 24th at 4 pm at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, 424 West Market Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580. The Reverend Canon Richard Kallenburg will be the Celebrator. Also, a celebration of life will be held on Saturday November 10th at 4 pm at the VFW Post 10178, 550 North McCall Road, Englewood, Florida 34223

Contributions can be made in Pat’s name to the Kosciusco Community YMCA, 11305 Mariner Drive, Warsaw, Indiana 46582, the Englewood Family YMCA, 701 Medical Blvd., Englewood, Florida, 34223 or Suncoast Hospice @ https://suncoasthospice.org/online-donations/. Please notate all contributions as follows: In memory of Patricia Lynn Burkey.