Patricia Cleveland

PATRICIA LEE (MCDONALD) CLEVELAND SEPTEMBER 10, 1944 NOVEMBER 3, 2018 Patricia (Pat) Lee Cleveland, 74, loving and cherished wife, mom, grandmother and great grandmother, passed away peacefully into the arms of angels on November 3, 2018 at Morningstar Memory Care of Colorado Springs. She was surrounded by loved ones when she left on her journey to heaven. Pat was born Patricia Lee McDonald, September 10, 1944, at Craig Air Force Base, Selma, Alabama to Harold (Mac) and Lillian McDonald. Even though her father was career Air Force, she spent most of her childhood in Selma before moving to Texas. She graduated Frenship High School in Wolfforth, Texas in 1962 where she was salutatorian of her class. She then attended Texas Tech University where she met Dan on a blind date to a homecoming football game in 1962. After a long engagement, Pat married her lifetime love of 54 years, Colonel Durand E. (Dan) Cleveland, September 19, 1964. They started off life together in Colorado Springs for his first assignment as a second lieutenant at Ent AFB. She quickly adapted to being an officers wife and immensely enjoyed the many functions of the Officers Wives Clubs throughout her life. Their first son, Erin, and daughter, Lori Ann were born at the Air Force Academy. Sadly, they lost Lori Ann right after birth. Colorado Springs was followed by assignments in Mississippi where she survived Hurricane Camille and had their second son, Noel; Texas for Dans graduate school, a year with the boys by herself while Dan was in Greenland; then assignments in Omaha, Nebraska; Mount Hebo, Oregon; Riverside, California where again she had the boys to herself while Dan was assigned to a remote location in North Dakota. Pat managed to teach Erin to drive and even took both boy to see the Dodgers and several rock concerts on her own. Following Riverside was the culture shock of moving to Northern Virginia while Dan went to school again and then was assigned to the Pentagon. Pat loved going into the city and seeing the museums and plays. While in Northern Virginia, she had the joy of seeing Erin getting married to Asha Patel and later welcoming her new grandsons into the world. She also enjoyed playing hostess to many dignitaries and foreign diplomats at social functions in the city. Following D.C., she was off again with Dan back to Colorado for their final Air Force assignment. Pat loved the Air Force and its adventures, even though there were many long separations and having to be both mom and dad to Erin and Noel at times. Later, she welcomed Gloria Venzor into the family as Noels wife and later her first granddaughters and youngest grandson. Pat loved all her grandkids and then watched as two of them married and had families of their own. Pat was the sweetest, most gentle person we have ever known, always loving and caring to everyone. She raised two wonderful sons of whom she was incredibly proud. As a non-stop chauffeur for her kids, she drove constantly shuffling sons to sports and other activities, always being their number one cheerleader. Pat was an ardent volunteer for the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, serving as a docent for many years, dressing as a giraffe named Cheyenne for the zoos puppet shows and conducting tours for children. She volunteered for the Pikes Peak Road Runners, the Trails and Open Space Coalition, and served in a number of positions in Catholic Churches all over the country, including being a Eucharistic Minister for over twenty-five years. Following the Colorado Rockies and all Texas Tech sports was a cherished past time. She was preceded in death by her parents Lillian and Mac, and daughter, Lori Ann. She is survived by her husband Dan; sons Erin and Noel; six grandchildren: Collin, Justin, Savan, Alex, Lauren, and Phillip; and great grandchildren: Ariya, Aubrey and Aiden. She is also survived by her brother Tommy McDonald, sister-in-law Jeannie, and nephew Westley. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Francis of Assisi Church at 11:00 am, on November 19, 2018, with interment and a reception to follow. The church is located at 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Service Information Mass of Christian Burial Monday November 19, 2018 11:00 AM Mount St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 2650 Parish View Colorado Springs, CO Interment following Memorial Service Monday November 19, 2018 12:15 PM 2650 Parish View Colorado Springs, CO 80919 Reception Monday November 19, 2018 1:00 PM Mount St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 2650 Parish View Colorado Springs, CO