Patricia Lee (Rand) Worthen |
| Posted 2016-04-09 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Camp Verde Bugle, Cottonwood, Arizona Saturday, March 26, 2016 Patricia Lee (Rand) Worthen 1944 - 2016 Patricia Lee (Rand) Worthen of Cottonwood, Arizona, beloved wife and devoted, loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and mother-in-law, died after a lengthy illness on Saturday, January 23, 2016, in Select Specialty Hospital at St. Joseph's Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona. The eldest and only girl of four children born to the late Phillip and Alice Rand, Pat's birth on April 5, 1944 in Lynn, Massachusetts, occurred on the very day her father was in route to the South Pacific and the Island of Guadalcanal. As a U.S. Air Force fighter-pilot's dependent, Pat experienced the extremes of Okinawa, when among the first military dependents permitted on the island following World War II, to that of the Cold War base at Ernest Harmon Air Force Base, Stephenville, Newfoundland in the mid-50s, with multiple state-side bases in between them. A move to Phoenix in 1958 lead to meeting, marrying, and living a loving life of 55 years with her high school sweetheart. Pat was a dedicated mother, supportive wife, and an active participant in the experiences and adventures encountered through 11 moves while residing in seven states, among them: church choir member; elementary school volunteer; semi-professional women's chorus member; team Mom and #1 sports rooter; dance and acrobatics school "enthusiast"; Girl Scout volunteer; multi-mile mall walker; runway model; and hospital volunteer. P at retired as a middle school special education instructional assistant in 1995. She was: an active member of the Episcopal Church since high school, lastly at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Clarkdale, Arizona; a grateful member of A.A.; a member of Beta Sigma Phi International for 50 years, an honor she celebrated with Cottonwood's Alpha Lambda Master chapter; and an early member and promoter of the Arthritis, Fibromyalgia & Other Pain-Related Diseases Support Group at Verde Valley Medical Center, where she was also a persistent participant in EntireCare Rehab & Sports Medicine's outpatient physical therapy maintenance program, earning the title, "NuStep Champ" in her use of the seated recumbent cross trainer. Pat's life was enriched by the many "hats" she wore and the relationships wrought by them; may her generosity, compassion, and love have brought a full measure to those whose lives she touched. Following a traumatic brain injury in 2006, with prayers, loving thoughts and friendship of family and friends through the ensuing years, Pat lived in hope and joy, with dignity, courage, and gratitude. She waged a valiant fight against the resulting multiple-health issues in her life, including the 2015 diagnosis of carcinoid (cancer) syndrome, bearing witness to "Let Go and Let God", taking it all "One Day at a Time", if not by hours or minutes, and by doing the hard work of healing and recovery, returning time and again for yet another day. "Embracing rather than running from difficulty", her love, strength, and willingness to never give up will continue to live on by all that were blessed to have known her. Memories are her great gift and the legacy for which we are so thankful. Pat is survived by her loving family: husband, Lee Worthen; son Kenyon (Patti) Worthen; daughter Leanne (Cindy) Worthen; grandchildren Cassandra, Kenyon II, Xander, and Emilee; great granddaughter Makenzie; brothers Stephen (Elaine) Rand, Christopher (Becky) Rand, and Robin (Kim) Rand; brothers-in-law James (Shirl) Worthen and Robert (Caroline) Worthen; and a host of Worthen-Rand nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by numerous extended Thompson and Stoddard family members, as well as many dear friends across the country. Family and friends are invited to share in the joy of her ever-living presence at a Celebration of Life to be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 3, 2016, in the Cottonwood Quality Inn's Conference & Banquet facility, 301 W. State Route 89A, Cottonwood AZ. Memorial gifts may be made in Pat's name to the Carcinoid Cancer Foundation, 333 Mamaroneck Avenue # 492, White Plains NY 10605-1440, or donate on the foundation's Website: www.carcinoid.org. Arrangements by A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuary, Phoenix, AZ. Share your memories or express your condolences by signing the Guest Book at www.almoore-grimshaw.com. Information provided by survivors. |
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