Pati Cates' Obituary
Celebrating the Life of Pati Cates
Pati was born in Rapid City, South Dakota, the second child of James and Ouida Maxwell. She earned a Master of Education degree from the University of North Dakota; her major field and her professional life were in Early Childhood Education. She retired after 40 years of teaching young children and teachers of young children. In retirement, one of her favorite activities was watching her children become exceptional adults and watching her grandson grow.
Pati and Richard were married in North Dakota and enjoyed 48 years of better and worse, richer and poorer, in sickness and in health. They loved and cherished each other until Pati went to be with her parents and the Lord.
Jim and Susie Maxwell,
Pati was our sister, Jim's by birth and Susie's by marriage, and we loved her with all our hearts. Pati was a generous, kind, nurturing, loving person and a great friend to have in anyone's life. She was a bright spirit with a happy laugh and a fabulous smile. Not to forget a great cook. We will miss her every day, but know with her faith that she has moved on to a beautiful place.
Anne Thomson,
There are so many beautiful things about Mom - her kindness, generosity, fun, intelligence. She loved fiercely and cared gently. She was the consummate educator, teaching even when she didn't mean to be.
I loved all her laughs - I feel like she had a different laugh for every circumstance she laughed at. I get told often that I laugh like her and I always consider that a compliment.
I loved her compassion and grace - she always made space for me to share what was happening in my life and to sit with me in it, to love me through it, and to give advice when I needed it.
There are so many memories that are incredible memories that I can't pick from them. I think it will take awhile to sort through them and decide what I want to keep for myself and what I am willing to share.
James Cates,
What they said.... That was the first thing that came to mind when my Dad asked me to write this. He laughed, Anne laughed, and both agreed Mom would have laughed as well. But she deserves more.
I can't adequately put into words what she deserves. She was my first teacher, my guardian and protector, my avid fan and staunch supporter, and my friend. She was my mom. She was so much more than all of that. I will miss her more than I thought could be possible. But she no longer has to worry about migraines or back pain or whether she accidentally ate too much gluten. She is in a far better place than this and I will see her again one day.
Richard Cates,
Pati loved, among so many things, butterflies. I saw this last week:
Butterflies rest when it rains
because it damages their wings.
It's okay to rest during the storms of life.
You will fly again when it's over.
Pati went to be with the Lord on Mother's Day. No day on the calendar could be more appropriate. Pati was, above all else, a mother. She put her heart and soul and remarkable abilities into being a mom to Anne and Jim and a grandma to Alexander. She took her knowledge and skills to another level in providing the very best education and example to hundreds of Early Childhood students, from the young children in her care to the future teachers under her tutelage. Nurturing children and showing others how to nurture them was at the center of her life. It was a beautiful life extraordinarily well lived. I am blessed to have experienced this firsthand. I am the grateful recipient of the best of her gifts and efforts. Fly again, Patijean Maxwell Cates; your storms are over.
What’s your fondest memory of Pati?
What’s a lesson you learned from Pati?
Share a story where Pati's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Pati you’ll never forget.
How did Pati make you smile?