Obituary: Patricia Duffield

Clovis - Patricia Jean (Essex) Duffield of Clovis, NM passed away peacefully at BSA Amarillo in the presence of her loving family on October 18, 2023, she was 86 years young.

"Patty" as her parents referred to her was born on June 24, 1937 in Muscatine, Iowa. She attended public school and upon graduation in 1954 at the age of 17 married her high school sweetheart, Myles H. Duffield-they were madly in love and remained so throughout their 70 years together. Myles had joined the US Air Force, and they were quickly shipped to Texas for basic training where they would begin their married lives. They produced six of their seven children while stationed at Perrin AFB near Sherman, TX. Over the course of the next 20 years the military took them to Texas, Newfoundland, New York (where seventh child was born), Louisiana, and lastly Clovis, NM.

Pat was a loving, and ever-involved mother of seven who was known for her ability to make a meal from next to nothing but would feed a dozen (because there were always friends of the kids at her home); to her beautiful works of prize-winning needlepoint art. She could sew, bake, fix anything with a butter knife, grow a garden, cook wild game and fish, and always have time to be a friend to someone in need. She passed on her skillset to her children who in turn have taught the next generation.

Her lifetime of employment had her being a carhop at the Cheri Top Drive-In in Muscatine, a research lab assistant at the Grain Processing Plant, a cashier at the NCO club, lunch lady at Ranchvale Elementary, and her most beloved job as a civil servant at Cannon AFB, NM where she taught, loved, and cared for the kids at the Childcare Center until her retirement in the early 1990's. She loved working there and as the children grew up they never forgot her, many stopping by her home just to say hello and to introduce their own children to their favorite childhood teacher. Pat enjoyed playing her piano, couponing, creating ceramic keepsakes, reading Danielle Steel novels, camping with her family, hosting annual Easter Egg Hunts and Halloween Parties, and especially enjoyed Christmas with her grandkids.

She loved to travel and fulfilled a bucket list trip to Boston, MA to observe the 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular with the Boston Pops Orchestra; trips to Mexico to look for kitchen tiles; a few Las Vegas trips with daughters (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas); but Alaska was her favorite destination; content to sit upon the porch of a log cabin watching the gentle flowing river and majestic snow-covered

mountains-she said it was proof there was a God. A Parkinson's diagnosis eventually put a halt to all her travel and extracurricular activities, but she never lost her zest for life or her ability to laugh with you, or at you.

She will be missed by all who knew and loved her, but we know she has reunited with all who have gone before her, and she is now with her Heavenly Father. Rest in Peace Mom, you were one of a kind and so well loved.

Pat is survived by husband Myles H. Duffield of the home; sister Karen Crook of Muscatine, IA; brother Robert (Bob) Essex of Keaau, HI; children Rick Duffield and wife Pam of Cottonwood, AZ; Lisa Crusberg of Delta Jct, AK; Greg Duffield and wife Theresa of Farewell, TX; Valerie Roberts and husband Ronny of Clovis, NM; Monique Cash and husband Ray of Clovis, NM; daughters-in-law Melva Duffield and Becky Duffield of Clovis; sisters-in-law Donna Lentocha and Lorinda Schmelzer of Muscatine, IA; 14 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends.

She was preceded in death by parents Robert and Edith Essex; sons Steven L. Duffield, and Bradley D. Duffield; son-in-law Clinton W. Crusberg; mother-in- law Ruby (Atkins-Duffield) Troxel, sisters-in-law Velma Graham, Lillian Proffit, Sophia McDonald; brothers-in-law Harry Duffield, Arggle Proffit, John Crook, and Herb McDonald.

Cremation will be administered by Muffley Funeral Home; with a private family celebration of life to follow at a date yet to be determined. Condolence can be sent to 213 W. Plaza Drive, Clovis, NM 88101.