Patricia Spain

With heavy hearts, our family shares that Patricia "Patti" Ann Spain passed away on November 14, 2025. Patti was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on January 4, 1942, to Darrell and Elvamae ("Billie") Burrell. She moved to Albuquerque as a teenager, attended Highland High School, and later devoted her life to raising her children.

Patti experienced many different jobs throughout her life-from being a stay-at-home mom, working at the UNM Children's Psychiatric Hospital, selling mobile homes, starting her own office supply business, and finally before retiring, raising funds for the American Heart Association. No matter the challenge, she always persevered with determination, grace, and a can-do spirit, inspiring those around her.

Patti was adventurous and full of life. She loved weekend road trips through the mountains of New Mexico-her mountains-never missing a detail of the beauty around her. She was fun to be with, always bringing laughter, warmth, and joy to everyone she met. Her energy and zest for life made every moment spent with her special. Patti never met a stranger and had a gift for making friends everywhere she went.

Music brought her immense joy throughout her life, especially Bluegrass, and she passed that passion along to her children, filling their lives with melody and harmony. Music was especially important in her final days, lifting her spirit and bringing comfort and peace.

More than anything, Patti's greatest joy in life was her family-her children, her grandchildren, and the friends who became family. She showed her love in thoughtful, simple ways: little gifts, notes, or tokens to let others know she was thinking of them. She loved making occasions memorable, decorating for holidays, shopping for treasures, celebrating with family, and creating memories with those she loved.

Patti leaves behind a large circle of people who loved her deeply, and she wishes that circle to be unbroken. She is survived by her much-loved husband of 22 years, Ray Spain; her sister Pam Johnstoneaux; her children Jayne Faith (John), Debbie Garcia, Rebekah (Becky) Ross, and Susan Wallace; and her stepchildren Jennifer Spain-Dye (Joe), Cathy Spain Whited, Rebecca (Spain) Ross, and Lee Sweenhart (Beth). Patti's life was further blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and dear friends-especially Meryl Garley, Lois Adkins, Betty Saunier, Diane Jones, and Dina Cipollone. She is preceded in death by her parents and by her beloved son, Michael Scott Ross.

Patti had a deep love for animals, and they held a special place in her heart. She adored her beloved Riley and, more recently, her cherished companion Indie. Her care and affection for animals reflected the same kindness and compassion she shared with everyone around her.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Lap Dog Rescue of New Mexico (https://lapdogrescue.org/donations), St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or a local hospice organization-causes that reflect Patti's compassion and love for others.

The family would like to thank the Presbyterian Hospital and Kaseman Hospice teams for the gentle, loving care they provided. We are also grateful to the Edgewood Fire Department, and to Matt and Nicole Wood, whose kindness and support meant so much to Patti and her family.

A Celebration of Life will be held at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
18 Edgewood 7, Edgewood, NM 87015
Friday November 21, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.

https://local.churchofjesuschrist.org/en/us/nm/edgewood/18-edgewood-7

A private family burial will occur at Santa Fe National Cemetery at a later date.