Patricia L. Colloton-Walsh

A lover of all people, Patricia Colloton-Walsh was a vibrant person to know and to love. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, she was most content when surrounded by her loving family and never took a single moment with them for granted. Patricia modeled a genuine interest in those around her. A great listener, mentor, and social activist, many people leaned on her wisdom for advice and support. Generous and accepting, there is no doubt that Patricia will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by her many special friends and loved ones for generations to come.

The 1940s were characterized by WWII. Much of this decade was spent in a battle for a way of life that the country and western powers had spent two centuries building. By 1947, some of the most significant inventions that would impact lives for many years to come were created including the Transistor and the Mobile Phone. That same year, Patricia was born on October 29th, at St. Michael’s in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Eddie and Kathleen “Dee” Colloton. Joining her older sister, Kathleen, and later joined by her younger siblings; Maribeth, Kevin, and Colleen, her birth added much joy and happiness to their loving family home.

Starting out at 2958 N. 21st Street in Milwaukee, Patricia attended Kindergarten at St. Leo’s before they relocated to their new home at 12800 W. Stark Street in Butler, Wisconsin in 1954. Pat was very active as a young child and loved to play outdoors. Often found playing kick the can or a game of pick-up basketball with the neighborhood crew, there was a never dull moment when Patricia was around! She also enjoyed playing volleyball, biking around Butler park and ice skating at the Butler rink no matter how cold it was outside! When she was ten years old, she traveled to Los Angeles with her sister Kathy to visit their Aunt Estelle, Aunt Marie and Uncle Tony. Aunt Marie and Uncle Tony took Patty and Kathy to several horse races where Pat eventually won betting on Mamma Mouse!

Social by nature, she also loved to visit St. Agnes and help the nuns, especially, Sister Pierre. With a strong desire to follow in the footsteps of her mentor, at the tender age of thirteen, she left home to attend Caroline Academy in Mequon to become a nun. Patricia later graduated high school in 1965 and enrolled at Mount Mary to pursue a degree in education. She later achieved two Master’s degrees in Elementary Education and another in Marriage and Family Therapy by 1970. She was a passionate educator for many years to come.

Around the age of twenty-two years, Patricia chose to leave the convent leading her to later rejoin the social scene of women her age. She was set up with her childhood neighbor, Joe Walsh, changing the course of her life forever! The happy couple joined in marriage on November 25, 1972 at St. Michael’s in Milwaukee. Together they raised three wonderful children; Bradach, Seamus, and Caitlin. Sadly, Seamus lived just three years. Patricia’s early years in grade school as well as high school babysitting for Mary Linsmeier, led to her initial interest in the Montessori method of early childhood education. Her skills as well as her knowledge attributed to her great ability to mother her own children. Patricia later taught in Linsmeier Montessori pre- schools as well as elementary schools all over the world. When her children were two and nine , she traveled and taught in Cameroon,Africa, The Hague, Holland, and Cochabamba, Bolivia between the years 1983 and 1990. This ignited the spark for her and her family to later travel extensively throughout Europe, South America, and Africa. Once her children were grown she and Joe loved to visit their oldest son, Brady in Rockaway Beach, New York where Brady is a Firefighter for New York City and owns a popular bar named Rockaway Beach Surf Club. Patricia and Joe visited so many times they were dubbed “Rockaway Locals” by Brady’s friends! One of her most memorable vacations, however, was a river cruise she took with Joe, her borther-in-law Gene, and her sister, Buff, on the popular Danube River.

Patricia’s remarkable career included years as an Elementary School Educator, College Professor, Implementor, and Marriage and Family Therapist. In addition to these many positions, she also took her love of knitting which she learned at Notre Dame of Lake and co-owned a popular yarn shop in Milwaukee for eight years with her daughter, Caitlin. Their time at the shop took them down many life-defining paths. Patricia was an active member of the Milwaukee art museum. An art lover, she enjoyed attending Milwaukee art fairs and the annual film festival and appreciated all things creative. Never one to remain idle, she remained active late in life taking daily walks with Joe, practicing yoga, kayaking and bike riding. She and Joe also enjoyed their many special pastimes including going to Chill on the Hill in Bayview, the farmers market on Saturdays, and to listen to the music at Groppi’s on Friday nights where Patricia was a long-time member of their wine club.

Her greatest treasure, however, was found in her two granddaughters, Olivia and Rose. She looked forward to each and every holiday season she shared with them and cherished baking Christmas cookies with Olivia. Each and every summer they continued their annual tradition to visit Minocqua, Wisconsin and this last trip they also took both Olivia and Rose! Any amount of time she spent with her family, her heart was content. Described as joyful, charismatic, and optimistic, Patricia’s energetic and loving personality will be sincerely missed by the countless lives she touched over the years.

Patricia L Colloton-Walsh, passed away August 7, 2019, at the age of 71. She was an avid knitter and crocheter. She was a voracious reader and member of the Wise Women book club for many years. She loved watching all sports, yet was a huge Packers, Bucks, and Brewers fan as well as all Wisconsin sports teams. Patricia was the beloved wife of Joseph R. Walsh. Cherished mother of Bradach Walsh, the late Seamus Walsh and Caitlin (Mike Busateri) Walsh. Loving grandmother of Olivia and Rose Walsh Busateri. Dear daughter of Delores and the late Edward Colloton. Fond sister of Kathleen Colloton, Maribeth “Buffie” (Eugene Cheng) Colloton, Kevin (Patti) Colloton, and Colleen (Jon) Bassindale. Further survived by other relatives and friends. Family and friends will gather Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the Niemann Suminski Funeral Home 2486 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53207 from 1:00 PM until time of the Memorial Service at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials to the wishes of the family in care of Joseph R. Walsh. Share a memory or sign the guestbook at www.SuminskiFuneralHome.com