Nancy Downes Patton

Nancy Downes Patton passed away peacefully on August 1, 2017, in Ft. Collins, CO. She was 96 years old. Nancy was born in Denton, MD to Henry Hackett Downes and Mary Williams Downes. She was preceded in death by her parents and by her husband Charles (Pat) Patton.

Surviving her are son Richard Patton (Susan) and daughter Susan Sanchez (Frank), her brother Jack Downes, and niece Carol Griffin (Stephen).

Nancy grew up in Chevy Chase MD. She attended Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, and then Salem College in Salem NC. After college, she worked at the Smithsonian Institution as an illustrator for the Department of Natural History rendering finely detailed drawings of plants and animals. Nancy married Pat in Seattle WA while he was on duty with the Navy. Afterwards, they lived in St. Louis MO, followed by Potomac, MD, Kalamazoo, MI, and Angel Fire, NM.

Nancy and Pat retired to Ft. Collins CO where she became an avid hiker. At age 80, she climbed three fourteeners - which made the newspapers as far away as San Diego! Nancy also loved horseback riding, gardening, traveling, and especially her animals.

There will be no memorial service. Memorial contributions may be directed to Halcyon Hospice in Ft. Collins. Arrangements are under the care of Goes Funeral Home in Ft. Collins.