Nina ""Pat"" Evelyn Witherspoon

Pat Witherspoon, Ms. Senior Colorado 1993, was born on May 13, 1923 and passed on January 2nd after several years' struggle with Alzheimers. Pat was well known in the senior community, active in the Aurora Senior Center where she performed clogging dance routines with Seniors 88 Showtime. She was chosen a winner in the Beacon Review senior modeling search in 1992 and enjoyed modeling both current senior fashions and vintage clothes from days gone by. In 1993 she became the first Ms. Senior Colorado and was chosen one of the ten finalists in the national Ms. Senior America pageant in Nashville. She also became the first Ms. Senior Colorado pageant director, establishing the first organized contest in the state. Pat was an active skier and was proud that she and her husband Graham Witherspoon had hiked 34 of the Colorado fourteeners when they were in their seventies. Her greatest hiking accomplishment was climbing Long's Peak, a grueling challenge that terrified her but one she completed with grit and determination. This ambition to overcome obstacles was a central part of her personality, carrying her through a successful career as a partner in a Houston real estate company prior to her retirement. Pat firmly believed in the ability of seniors to achieve goals thought beyond their physical or mental capacities. She was once quoted as saying in regards to fellow seniors ""None of us sit and rock. We go like hell all day long."" Pat, born Nina Evelyn Harrington, is survived by husband Graham, daughters Christy Medina and Nancy Veach; her only son John Witherspoon passed in 2008. She is also survived by her only brother Bill Harrington, grandchildren Justin Medina, Jason Medina, Jamie Antonarez, Margaret McElroy, Melanie Wise, Melissa Veach, and great grandchildren Esperenza Antonarez, Rosabelle Antonarez, Sydney McElroy, and Elena McElroy The memorial service celebrating her life will be held at Horan & McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave, Aurora on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00 am, followed by a reception from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association. Or better yet, plant an aspen tree; she loved them!