Cindy Gay Patterson's Obituary
Cindy Nutting Patterson was born on November 27, 1952 in Brainard, Minnesota to Aileen and Jack Nutting. She grew up in Minnesota, then Montreal, and finally, Maryland. Cindy earned a degree in Dance and Fine Arts from Goucher College in Baltimore. While studying at Goucher, she lived in the International Hall, where she loved meeting students from other cultures and speaking French and Spanish. During her junior year of college, she studied abroad at the Institut de Touraine in Tours, France. Cindy’s first love was dance and she was an avid and accomplished dancer. After college, Cindy moved to New York City and danced with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Company. After Cindy’s dance career, she married Tom Patterson and gave birth to Ashley and Amber. The family lived in Chouteau, Oklahoma, Show Low, Arizona, Montgomery, Alabama, and finally Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Cindy loved being a stay at home mom. She was always active with Ashley’s taekwondo and Amber’s gymnastics. She never missed a meet and was always their biggest cheerleader. Eventually, Cindy went back to work and found a career she loved at Mattel Toys. She also became an avid collector of rare Barbies and Hot Wheels. Cindy was always very active at church, and considered her faith to be the most important part of her life. She enjoyed her weekly women’s bible study group, and loved singing songs during praise and worship time. She always said that it didn’t matter how well you sang, as long as you made a joyful noise to the Lord. She served as a volunteer and translator at the church Clothes Closet, and, later, as a front door greeter on Sunday mornings. Her welcoming and warm spirit were a true asset to the church welcome team. Cindy loved to travel. Her favorite places were Paris, Rome, Montreal, the Grand Canyon, and Sarasota. She loved oohing and ahhing at sunsets, shooting stars, and gorgeous scenery. Cindy was an avid skier. She still skied double black diamond trails well into her 40s. She loved a challenge and the thrill of a hard hill. Cindy was a season ticket holder to the Tulsa Ballet for many years. She loved getting dressed up and watching new performances. Perhaps Cindy’s greatest love, though, was being a mom. She loved bragging about her kids to anyone who would listen! Last year, Cindy became a proud grandma to Amber and son-in-law Jeff’s daughter, Eliot. She loved showing off pictures and videos of Eliot, and enjoyed frequent FaceTime calls with her. Cindy was an amazing friend to so many people. She lived a truly incredible life and was loved by many. She is survived by her son, Ashley Patterson, of Tulsa, OK, daughter, Amber Patterson-Strom, and granddaughter, Eliot Strom, of Shrewsbury, MA. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Lulu. She is preceded in death by her parents and sister. Cindy was beloved by many friends and family. Her friendship, support, faith, generosity, spirit, and love will be sorely missed but fondly remembered by all. There will be two days of visitation, Sunday, January 15, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. and Monday, January 16, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. At Floral Haven Funeral Home Funeral Service will Tuesday, January 17, 2017 10:00 a.m. at The Church at Battle Creek in Broken Arrow
What’s your fondest memory of Cindy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Cindy?
Share a story where Cindy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Cindy you’ll never forget.
How did Cindy make you smile?