Ann Patton Obituary

"Ann Furst Patton, 94, passed away peacefully May 6, 2023 at her residence at Bliss Place in Bedford, Indiana. Born in Indianapolis on June 15,1928, she was the daughter of Philip Furst and Margaret (Nold Benckart) Furst. She was a graduate of Bedford High School and Indiana University, with a BS in Recreation. She was a tomboy from her time being named the most athletic girl in her high school senior class. She was very active in the Girl Scouts and was selected at age 18 as one of two girls in the US to participate in an international scout gathering at Our Chalet in Switzerland. During college she worked at Girl Scout camp as a counselor, lifeguard, and waterfront director. She also swam for the IU synchronized swimming team. Upon college graduation she took a position with the Girl Scouts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She returned to Bedford and was married to Donald Patton on November 7, 1953 who preceded her in death November 17,1998. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and was active in a number of community organizations, most notably the Girls Scouts as a volunteer. She also loved the family cabin at Kenray Lake and spent her summer weekends there water skiing, canoeing and enjoying the lake with friends and family. She was a lover of animals and a lifelong pet owner. She returned to Girl Scouting as a professional for Tulip Trace Council in Bloomington, Indiana. There she was very involved in volunteer training and enjoyed teaching new leaders outdoor skills. She was very at home in dirty jeans, cooking over an open campfire and leading nature hikes. She later earned a Realtors License and owned and operated the Bedford Century 21 branch with her husband Don. She relocated to Jacksonville, Florida after his death but ultimately returned to Bedford in 2015. Survivors include daughter Katherine Fisher (Aaron) of Breinigsville, PA; daughter Elizabeth Gilmore (Timothy) of Bedford; and son Thomas (Andrea Pennell) of Jacksonville, FL; as well as grandchildren Adrienne (Philadelphia, PA) and Joel Fisher (Brienigsville, PA), Arielle Sweeney (Ashland, MA), Niklas Siniard and Lucas Gilmore (Bedford, IN), Abby McDermott (Oolitic, IN), Amelia Wood (St. Augustine, FL) and Jennifer Patton Fisher (Marysville, OH). She also has three great granddaughters, Win Siniard of Bedford, Sadie Russell of Oolitic and Irene Fisher (Marysville, OH). She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Lou Pendland; husband, Don Patton; daughters Meg Patton and Mary Patton; grandson Schuyler Wood; and nephews Michael Hanna and Robert Patton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am on Friday, May 12, 2023 at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church with Father Jegan Peter and Deacon Dave Reising officiating. Burial will follow at Cresthaven Memory Gardens. Visitation will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at The Ferguson-Lee Chapel of Thorne-George Family Funeral Homes. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to Lawrence County Humane Society or Girl Scouts USA. Remembrances and condolences may be shared online at www. FergusonLee. com. "