Krista E. Patton, M.D., passed away on Thursday, October 20, 2016 in The Newton Wellesley Center for Alzheimer's Care. She was 68 years old. She leaves a brother and sister-in-law, Kirk and Beth Patton of Lewiston, NY; a niece, Quinn Patton; cousins Robin Nedrow, Maureen Ehle, Kristel Bush, Gail Weimer-Laughrie, Linda Weimer-Thompson and Barbara Smearman-Hirt as well as close friends including Lilly Rosene, Leona and Laura Pease, Liz Gregory, and Rick Barton, her life-long companion. She was pre-deceased by her beloved Hari-Dog.
Krista was born in Meyersdale, PA, daughter of the late Karl and Betty Jane (Ringler) Patton. She graduated from Harper College in Binghamton, NY and University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. She worked for many years as a physician at Fallon/Reliant Healthcare, retiring to care for her parents. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, she loved to travel, and she was a compassionate, generous humanitarian. Krista loved gardening and made many beautiful landscaping additions around her condominium area, not only for herself, but for her neighbors' enjoyment as well. She could also be found shoveling walkways and brushing off their cars on snowy mornings. Krista never needed an excuse to be outdoors. She liked to hike and walk her Shiba Inu dog and be a part of the changing seasons. Loving all animals, she had a particular fondness for wild birds that she learned from watching her grandmother. She was an avid reader and majored in English Literature before beginning her medical career. As a fine physician, she took great care and pride in keeping a humanistic bedside manner foremost in her practice. One of her true loves was spending time by the water, especially the ocean. She found great comfort and peace in the many hours she spent along the coast. Krista was a loving and tireless daughter in caring for her parents through their later years. She will be sadly missed.
A memorial service will be held at the (UU Church) United Universalist Church, 90 Holden Street, Worcester on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016 from 12-3pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Krista's memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders, 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10001-5004.