Pat Haug

How do you sum up a life in just a few words? I'm not qualified to do it, but I'll give it a try. After all, she was my best friend for nearly a half a century.

Pat (Patricia) Haug reluctantly let go on October 6, 2024 after battling the insidious monster, breast cancer, after being 'cancer-free' for many years. Sister-in-law Diana, son Ryan and Doug were at her side.

She leaves Doug, her husband, along with three amazing children: Peter (Marquitta,) Amanda (Andrew,) and Ryan (GF Heidi) There are also the wonderful grandkids; Allie, Rachel, Trever, Mason, Sean and Charlotte.

She also had great friends, Susan, Betsy, Glenda and others too many to cite here. Incredible neighbors supported her to the end, as did her sisters-in-law Diana and Donna (Ron) and brother-in-laws Dave (Lilia) and Dan (Marla.)

Pat's three older siblings survive her. Brother Wayne (Melanie,) Barbara Sue and Kathy (Pete,) and several nieces and nephews.

Our world went dark that Sunday evening. We were supposed to be returning from her bucket list trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. God, she loved baseball and was so looking forward to seeing the Todd Helton exhibit, along with stars of her hometown team, St Louis Cardinals (especially Ozzie Smith)

Pat was the youngest of four born to Louise Miller Thompson and Harold 'Skip' Thompson and grew up in Webster Groves, Missouri. Life was good.

Pat worked for the phone company in St. Louis for a couple of years, and decided to head out west for adventure, settling in her new hometown of Colorado Springs. It was there, working for Mountain Bell the seasoned service rep challenged a new trainee, sitting at her desk, with 'What the hell are you doing there?'

A tense situation morphed, a few years later, into a lifetime love. That lasts beyond the nearly 45 years she and Doug spent together.

Ryan and Amanda were born during Pat's life at the phone company, and she worked odd hours and weekends so she could spend time at their school, helping in the classroom where ever she was needed.

It was this time that sparked her second career, a teacher's aide or paraprofessional with School District 11. When asked when she was finally going to retire, her response was always 'And do what?' She loved many of the kids and staff she worked with over the years.

The 'And do what' was reading, usually more than a book a week. She loved to crochet. Traveling by car was another favorite, and with Doug, attempted to visit every county seat in Colorado. The destination, though, was not the primary goal, it was the trip, stopping in small towns, visiting their museums and dining in local eateries. She was frequently asking the locals about their towns.

A couple of wonderful road trips involved going to Bremerton Washington to visit Amanda and her family, and Gulfport Mississippi to spend time with Peter and his family, walk along the Gulf Coast or the Puget Sound.

Even though Pat lived in Colorado, she loved the water, and in her youth spent much time in the ponds and rivers of Missouri, waterskiing or splashing around.

Many years ago, being the young mother of a child with Down syndrome, she was frustrated by the lack of information on the future of her baby, so with a couple other moms (with dads in tow) she helped form the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association and ran it for several years. You could find her advocating for the kids, and the group where ever she was, and talked to new moms when and where ever she was needed. Pat spoke in front of groups, though not willingly as she was a very private person, and even spoke with groups of doctors and nurses. CDSDA still thrives.

The enjoyment of coffee and craft beer were also passions of Pat. Long before Starbucks or Google became household names, if you told her there were no coffeehouses you knew about, she'd retort 'give me an hour' and sure enough, Pat and Doug would be enjoying a cup.

Pat also had a wry sense of humor that she didn't show off everyday. She didn't need to. She laughed easily at good jokes, groaned at others and questioned the humor of some. Gallows humor, though, was not off limits.

Pat's singing was not heard enough, but she had an ability to let loose when she wanted, either Christmas carols, or singing along with the cowboy songsters she loved, like Chris Ledoux, Don Edwards or even Gene Autry.

Although she didn't cook often, her meals were always delightful, and pumpkin pies were scrumptious.

This story would be lacking if there was no mention of Pat's love of crazy earrings. She loved scouring thrift stores for the unusual, and was always excited to recieve a new pair of dangly sillies. She had acquired an amazing collection of over 150!

Even though memories continue to flood in, I'll end this for now.

Be at peace, my Love.