Patricia Ann Cretcher
January 19, 2024 at 6:35 p.m.
On Jan. 16, 2024, Patricia Ann Craig Cretcher passed away peacefully at the age of 90 with her family by her side.
She was born to the late James Earl Craig and Gertrude Marie Bailey Craig on Oct. 15, 1933. Patricia graduated from Bourbon High School in 1951. She attended Northwestern University with the Wesley Memorial Nursing Program until her marriage to Norman Lee Cretcher on Sept. 27, 1953. They began their new married life as an Air Force family and eventually settled in Tucson, Ariz., in 1955.
Pat was a dedicated mother to three girls. When the youngest was school age, Pat began taking classes at the University of Arizona. She graduated with honors in 1967 with a degree in elementary education. She began teaching second grade with Tucson Unified School District. While teaching and taking care of her family, Pat went on to receive her master’s degree in elementary education with honors. Patricia was an accomplished pianist and played for school chorus and church. Pat could hear a song and then begin playing it by ear making it her own. Her appreciation and love for the piano and music touched so many students throughout her teaching career. Patricia retired from teaching in 1991.
Upon retirement, Pat and Norm spent fall and winters in Tucson, Ariz., and spring and summers in Bourbon, Indiana, where they purchased Pat's family farm. Pat loved to garden and sew. She would make her children and then grandchildren beautiful clothes. During the summers in Indiana, she continued to play the piano for church and played for the band, Sentimental Journey. Patricia was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them. In 2021, an injury required Pat and Norm to move to Maryville, Tenn., to be closer to family. Patricia was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Tucson, Ariz., and Bourbon Methodist Church in Bourbon. She was also very active in the ADK Chapter Omicron in Tucson Arizona until her move to Tennessee.
Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Norman Lee Cretcher; her beloved sister, Kathleen (Craig) McDaniel; her children: Pamela Schwanenberger, Cindi (Jeff) Wiebe, Renee (Brandt) Sielaff; five very loved grandchildren: Bryan Schwanenberger, Kelly Wiebe, Casie Wiebe, Zach Sielaff and Alexandra Sielaff. Pat was blessed with seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loved siblings: James Donald Craig, Martha Elaine Craig Cova, Bruce Allen Craig and Richard Devon Craig. Patricia will be sadly missed and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation at P.O. Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061-0515 or online at www.Macular.org.
On Jan. 16, 2024, Patricia Ann Craig Cretcher passed away peacefully at the age of 90 with her family by her side.
She was born to the late James Earl Craig and Gertrude Marie Bailey Craig on Oct. 15, 1933. Patricia graduated from Bourbon High School in 1951. She attended Northwestern University with the Wesley Memorial Nursing Program until her marriage to Norman Lee Cretcher on Sept. 27, 1953. They began their new married life as an Air Force family and eventually settled in Tucson, Ariz., in 1955.
Pat was a dedicated mother to three girls. When the youngest was school age, Pat began taking classes at the University of Arizona. She graduated with honors in 1967 with a degree in elementary education. She began teaching second grade with Tucson Unified School District. While teaching and taking care of her family, Pat went on to receive her master’s degree in elementary education with honors. Patricia was an accomplished pianist and played for school chorus and church. Pat could hear a song and then begin playing it by ear making it her own. Her appreciation and love for the piano and music touched so many students throughout her teaching career. Patricia retired from teaching in 1991.
Upon retirement, Pat and Norm spent fall and winters in Tucson, Ariz., and spring and summers in Bourbon, Indiana, where they purchased Pat's family farm. Pat loved to garden and sew. She would make her children and then grandchildren beautiful clothes. During the summers in Indiana, she continued to play the piano for church and played for the band, Sentimental Journey. Patricia was a dedicated mother first and foremost. She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them. In 2021, an injury required Pat and Norm to move to Maryville, Tenn., to be closer to family. Patricia was a member of St. Paul's Methodist Church in Tucson, Ariz., and Bourbon Methodist Church in Bourbon. She was also very active in the ADK Chapter Omicron in Tucson Arizona until her move to Tennessee.
Survivors include her husband of 70 years, Norman Lee Cretcher; her beloved sister, Kathleen (Craig) McDaniel; her children: Pamela Schwanenberger, Cindi (Jeff) Wiebe, Renee (Brandt) Sielaff; five very loved grandchildren: Bryan Schwanenberger, Kelly Wiebe, Casie Wiebe, Zach Sielaff and Alexandra Sielaff. Pat was blessed with seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that she loved dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents and her loved siblings: James Donald Craig, Martha Elaine Craig Cova, Bruce Allen Craig and Richard Devon Craig. Patricia will be sadly missed and will forever hold a place in our hearts.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to The American Macular Degeneration Foundation at P.O. Box 515 Northampton, MA 01061-0515 or online at www.Macular.org.