Patricia H. Colbert

Patricia H. Colbert, age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at Seasons Hospice at the Christiana Hospital on June 23, 2014 after a long illness. She was preceded in death by her parents Ritner C. and Agnes K. Hall and her older brother Ritner and younger sister Kathryn Lange. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Ralph E. Colbert Jr. and their four children along with Patsy’s younger sister, Winifred Schmeling (David Schmeling) Tallahassee, FL. as well as numerous cousins, nephews and nieces. Patsy and Ralph have four children, Richard Colbert(Cathy Colbert), Newark DE, Debi Thomas(Jeff Thomas) Newark, DE, Tab Colbert(Beth Colbert) New Albany, OH and Sharon Whetham(Kevin Whetham) Newark, DE. They also have 14 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Patsy was a lifelong resident of Newark and was a 1955 graduate of Newark High School and also attended the University of Delaware. She was a cofounder of a preschool, Playgarden and ran it successfully for over 14 years. She was also receptionist and Office Administrator for St. Pauls Lutheran Church in Newark for many years. Patsy was also a long time member, Elder and Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Christiana Presbyterian Church and later at White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church. She was devoted to her faith, family and her Lord. In retirement Patsy enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends all across the country. She enjoyed gardening and playing cards with a small group of friends as well as a weekly coffee group, for over 40 years. She worked on many volunteer committees and projects with her church and her community. She was incredibly proud of her children and took extreme joy in watching her children, grandchildren and especially her great grandchildren grow and succeed. Patsy was truly loved by all who knew her and will be missed dearly by her family, friends and her hometown of Newark. The family would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the staff of Somerford Place as well as the staff of Seasons Hospice. Without their care, love and constant support, this most difficult of situations would have been unbearable, THANK YOU ALL. A celebration of Patsy’s life will be held 11:30 am on Friday morning, June 27, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newark, 292 West Main Street, Newark, DE. Interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that a donation be made to any of the following organizations: Christiana Presbyterian Cemetery Association, 15 N Baltimore Pike, Christiana DE 19702, Seasons Hospice, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 01 Newark, DE 19713 or to the Tyler Arboretum, 515 Painter Rd, Media PA 19063.

Patricia H. Colbert

December 18, 1937 - June 23, 2014