Patricia A. Safford left her body peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2024, with three of her children at her bedside who held her hands, rubbed her head, and talked to her during her last week.

Born October 1, 1932, to Joseph and Eunice (Mahon) Craanen in Green Bay, WI; she married Clark Safford in 1955 and together they proceeded to 'immediately' produce 8 children: Craig, Kathleen, Diane, Scott, Laura, Jay, Mary, and David.  Patricia graduated from Green Bay West High School; her accolades include numerous swimming and diving awards.

She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Eunice, her siblings Lee Craanen, Eunice Prevost, and Mary Lou Pashek, her husband Clark, her children Craig, Scott, and Jay, and her brothers and sister's in-law: Dudley, Jerry, Jean, Danny, and Jeannie Safford, Marylou Mohr, and Teckie Krouth.

She is survived by her children Kathleen (Charles Starke) Safford, Diane Richardson, Laura Safford, Mary (Danny) Drawenek, and David Safford, her daughter in-law Michelle Safford, her grandchildren Jacob (Ashley) Richardson, Brian Richardson, Patrick Ison, Shauna (Scott) Weed, Kelly (Jason) Berrens, Vicky (John) Gilson, Carli (Travis) Durden, sisters-in-law Suzy (Ken) Vanderloop, and Connie LaChapelle, many nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

She enjoyed baking and making chocolate candies; she was an excellent cook but well known amongst relatives and friends for her chocolate candy making during the Christmas season.

She was a staunch Catholic throughout her life; when she could no longer make it to mass (2020), she watched services on the Catholic channel.  She loved swimming and swam well all the way to 91 (almost ½ mile some days); her last 4 ½ years she lived in Florida at Kathleen and Charles' house where they have a pool.  Her son David and son-in-law Charles built a large room for her with all of the 'handicap' features needed; the pool was 10 feet from her door.   Laura moved in so she could be with her mom for her final years.

She loved to laugh and constantly cracked jokes; she always started laughing after saying something funny and things just got funnier and funnier.  Pat's nieces Cindy Prevost-Noack and Jane Keehan were in touch with her often and she would crack jokes with them.

Laura, David, and Kathleen took care of her, and she often commented on her appreciation that her kids were with her and taking such good care of her.  Neighbors loved her and would see her in our courtyard at the pool with her coloring books and singing to 50's music being played on her Ipad.  She could sit in the outside courtyard all day coloring and listening to music or getting in the pool and swimming well into the evening hours.

Pat's funny quotes/comments:

We would help her get dressed and she had to raise her arm for the sleeves to get put on, she would say "I have to do everything", and then she would laugh.

"Clark and I had 8 kids in 9 ½ years", and then she would start laughing.

When 'Hulu' would get opened on the TV, she would see the screen and read out loud "Welcome Mom" and she just start laughing.

She laughed at the simplest of things, making it a joy to be around her.  She would wiggle her feet in the swimming pool and tell us she is walking after midnight or heading to New Orleans; words from songs that she liked.

She would see us doing housework or ask what we are doing and if you told her dishes, she would ask if she could help, if you said yes, she would say "Well, my knees hurt, I will help tomorrow" or she would wait until you were done and then say, "you should have told me, I would have helped".

She ate a lot of frozen fruit bars; she had very selective memory when it came to ice cream or fruit bars.  She would ask for one sometimes within minutes of just eating one and if you told her she just had one, she would deny it until you showed her the popsicle stick, then she would say well I still want another one.   If you offered her a fruit bar and forgot to get it, she remembered that and would remind you about it until you got it for her. Her son, Craig Safford was with us for 6 months January to July 15, 2023; he would always say to mom, "You sure have selective memory when it comes to ice cream/fruit bars". She held Craig's hands and rubbed his belly talking to him the evening he passed; she would see him for a few days after that and remembered it for weeks which brought much sadness to her.  We were all grateful to have the opportunity to take care of our brother and be with him until his passing too!

One thing for sure is she enjoyed being with her kids for the past 4.5 years of her life and regularly mentioned it; she felt safe and at home.  We were glad to be a part of it.

Funeral arrangements are not yet set but it will take place at Valley Funeral Home in Appleton, Wisconsin in mid-June.  We will make the announcement of date/time within 10 days of the date.

Arrangements entrusted with BALDWIN BROTHERS Funeral & Cremation Society-Spanish Springs, 352-430-1449.  Sentiments are encouraged at www.baldwincremation.com .