Patti Kay Dunlap

Patricia Kay Dunlap was born 11/12/1946—3rd of 5 kids—in Pueblo, Colorado. Father, Frederick “Brick” Dunlap, was Manager of the city water department; and mother, Dorothy “Dode” Cerjanic was responsible for the four girls & one son, and all household duties. During these early childhood years, Patti Kay developed her personal mantra: “the most important thing in MY life are the PEOPLE that I know.” Therefore, Patti had hundreds of friends she maintained—including many lifelong ones from kindergarten—through her job years—until her final years as a senior citizen in VA. Living within walking distance of her elementary school, all of the children would even come home for lunch. One 4th grade day, Patti was struck by a car at lunch time, left in the street as the other kids ran home to tell their mother: this incident caused her to have lifelong disc issues. By her junior and senior high school days, Patti had excelled in the academics: becoming a popular student, playing clarinet and being drum major in the school band. Physically, Patti Kay ran track, played softball, and skied. As was the family tradition: all of the kids had to part-time work in a neighborhood giftshop to earn their spending money. These years made PK the best gift wrapper for life! From middle school till college, the Dunlap kids spent some of their summers at their uncle’s 1000 acres CO cattle ranch; this time developed Patti’s love for most animals—especially horses, cats, and dogs. Patti attended Colorado State University in Pueblo for several years, majoring in Math and Piano, enabling her to enjoy years of playing and teaching children & adults. She also worked part-time on the ski patrol, until a careless skier crashed into Patti’s knee, ending her skiing days. Professionally, Patti worked 20 years in Colorado as an administrator or technician at various insurance companies and banks. Then, in 1992, she was transferred to Washington, DC by the FDIC during the infamous bank housing frauds. From 2000 until Patti’s retirement in 2013, she spent the rest of her business life working at CACI, the Dept of Defense, and lastly, as a civilian employee for the Department of the Navy. Loved it all. Privately and personally, Patti Kay continued bowling as she had done since 7 years of age with her mother. She nightly bowled 2-3 times per week, as well as going to numerous tournaments across the US. In addition to being a participant, Patti served as a state board officer in CO, as well as in secretary/treasurer positions in CO and VA. In 1994, during this bowling time, she met her eventual life partner: Nancy Knight. Both loving to travel, they went to 27 baseball games of the 30 professional MLB teams. Patti and Nancy’s adventures continued into retirement; taking cruises and travelling to 49 of the 50 US states—just missed planned 2025 trip to HI. PK was an obsessive brilliant puzzler: both jigsaw and crossword. Western-raised, Patti was an accomplished “handyman” to a gourmet cook to a musical auditory scholar. Patti was like a mother to Nancy’s children: Steve, of NC; Sheila, of CO; and Justin, of VA. Her life and love of sports expanded with the addition of 7 granddaughters and 4 great-grandkids. Always had some place to go! Very blessed. Patti will be dearly missed by numerous friends, colleagues, bowlers, and family members across the entire US! As many written comments Nancy has received, many of her friends and family thought she would survive this latest battle with her body/heart. Considering, in 2001, she received severe cranial car injuries; this incident left her with severe hearing loss and no sense of smell. Then in 2002-2003 she produced a miracle: survival of stage 4 breast cancer w/13+ positive lymph nodes through a trial treatment from France. It was considered an unbelievable possibility! But as Patti Kay said several times, “I’m still here.” In fact, on 8/14th she made that statement to her niece Ellen. Then by 8/24/2024 her heart valves, lungs, liver, and kidneys could not give us that desired miracle. Now we have only treasured memories. She is survived by her heartbroken partner Nancy, as well as mourned by her three stepchildren and their families; her niece Ellen Labe & Gaylene Geisler as well as nephews Shiloh Dunlap and Perry Dunlap. Patti enjoyed sports, as well as Broadway musicals. Mainly, she wished to savor the moment, not garnish the setting. Therefore, as she requested, Patti Kay was cremated, and some of her ashes are to be scattered in the Colorado mountains beside her parents’ and brother’s graves, some in the Atlantic Ocean—site of family vacations, and others mingled with the ashes of her sister Nicki, in PA. However, the majority of PK’s remains will stay with Nancy at her home in a dove-encrusted urn and in a small handheld heart-shaped token. As Patti Kay always said, “live life fully and each hour as it might be your last.”

Tributes

Patti Kay Dunlap

November 12, 1946 - August 24, 2024