Patricia Jane Bolton-Criger

Our friend and Mom, Patricia Jane Bolton-Criger, 84 born July 26th, 1932 in Tucson, Arizona, died unexpectedly on September 28th, 2016 in her adopted Hometown for over 40 years San Diego, California. How do you say goodbye to the person who taught you how to tie your shoes? Hold your spoon? And a thousand other things you needed to learn? Kissed all your boo-boos when you were little and only a phone call away when you became an adult and moved away? How do you honor the person who's loving eyes will no longer be watching over you silently encouraging you? Reminding you that you are not alone? Look at her, see her for who she was. Mom's life journey took her from the small town girl mad at the world for its stifling social gender roles she found offensive and boring, to a life filled with adventure, travel and all the twists and turns of a good read. Our mom swam in the Dead Sea, stood in the Sistine Chapel, sat in the Greek Amphitheater, prayed in the Church of the Holy Sceptre, picnicked in Denali National Park, and walked the Great Wall of China. These were only a few of her experiences. Being a lover of learning she also went back to school, while in her fifties, to get her bachelor degree. All the while working a 40-hour work week. And even up to her death at 84 she was taking classes to learn how to use her computer as well as acrylic painting and ceramic shaping. Mom enjoyed crafts and knitting scarves for the homeless. Our mother was a party girl and she loved to entertain, not the relax kick back have a beer kind of parties, more of the formal, use the right kind of fork dinners. To her disappointment none of her children adopted this practice. However, we did enjoy the food. The food was great. She made the best turkey stuffing. Mom's favorite time of the year was Christmas. She loved the tree and all the lights. Even in the Colorado winter snow she would pile we kids into the car and drive the neighborhoods to look at the lights. On Christmas mornings after opening gifts and eating cinnamon rolls she drug us off to church, where she got to sing. She had a beautiful voice and also played the piano. Ever practical, her Christmas gifts were always welcomed if you appreciated clothes and books. Our mom was an Avid Reader and she enjoyed card games, board games, dice games, any kind of games really. She also loved animals and was a patron of San Diego Wildlife Park & Zoo. As a child her job was to clean the rabbit cages and feed her goat and horse Flicka. She also had a tender spot for her cats. She talked about them with the same pride in her their accomplishments as her children. Always an example that one never knows what life will bring, our mother divorced our dad (William L. Bolton), after 30 years of marriage and several years later married the love of her life, (Glenn L. Criger). It was heartwarming to see her so happy. They were like two kids playing together. She was able to have him for 30 years as well. Our mom was highly intelligent, observant, independent, stubborn, opinionated, sensitive and loving, all wrapped up in a funny sense of humor. Mom was blessed with lifetime of friends and family, many of whom undoubtedly greeted her with a party on the other side. Although this is only a small glimpse of a woman who grew up from a scared little girl to being able to wear her life like a comfy gown, she will always be a reminder that love delivers on its promise of a wild ride, well worth the bumps and bruises. So how do you say goodbye to the person who taught you to tie your shoes and the thousand other thing she did for you? With a heartfelt, Thank you!