Her beautiful mind, soul and spirit are again in harmony. Patsy E. Madia departed this earthly realm on Saturday, July 5, in Heber City, Utah, following 6-plus years in Memory Care facilities.
She was born Patsy Jean on June 15, 1942, in Rock Springs, the third of four children to Mark and Josephine Elmer, joining sisters Janice and Diane. Younger brother Robert would complete the family almost five years later.
Patsy attended school in Evanston, where she was involved in music, drama, student government and cheerleading. She became a lifeguard at the outdoor Evanston Municipal Swimming Pool, during summer seasons, for 16 consecutive years. Patsy served as the head lifeguard for the majority of that time span, and taught swimming lessons to hundreds, if not thousands, of Evanston youth.
Following high school graduation, she married Junior Walton. One child, a son named Mark, was born from that union. The young couple would later divorce.
Patsy then attended the University of Wyoming, where she would meet her future husband, David Madia. David and Patsy would marry on Sept. 18, 1964. Three children were born to the couple, beginning with David Anthony “Tony” Madia, in Powell, followed by twins, Gina and Matt Madia, in Evanston.
Patsy was always one to follow her dreams. She knew exactly where she wanted to live and raise her family from the time she was a little girl, walking past the home at 1101 Summit St. on her way to and from Clark School. That dream became reality in the fall of 1973, which years later became the impetus for a feature story in the Salt Lake Tribune, also showcasing her pot-bellied pig, “Henry Piggins.”
Patsy worked as a substitute school teacher in the Evanston school district, beginning in the late 1960s. Following her father’s passing in March of 1974, the couple began to purchase the remaining shares of the dealership from Patsy’s mother. While David took the reins at Evanston Motor Company, Patsy became the project director for the newly formed Evanston Senior Citizens Center.
In 1982, the couple purchased the Pontiac, Cadillac and GMC auto dealership, and were soon able to bring the Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge automotive lines from the original Evanston Motor Company under the same roof.
During the height of the oil boom, Patsy and Dave embarked on another ambitious business venture in purchasing and remodeling the old Elizabeth Shoppe building in downtown Evanston, for the future home of Eliza Doolittle’s, a high-end women’s clothing store. After a successful 10-year run, a marketing shift to antiques and collectables, as Eliza’s Estate, fulfilled another of Patsy’s dreams for the next decade, before finally selling the building in 2004.
Before and especially during her time as a business owner, Patsy was very involved in the Evanston community she so dearly cherished. She served in numerous volunteer capacities for causes near to her heart. Business highlights included receiving the coveted Evanston Businessperson of the Year award and serving as president of the Evanston Chamber of Commerce.
The EHS All-Alumni Reunion Weekend was her brainchild, as was the “Ballet East” production of “The Nutcracker.” Who else could convince business and civic leaders from all walks of life to don tights and tutus and take the stage for charity and holiday fun, in activities for which they were woefully unqualified? That was patented Patsy.
Patsy possessed a keen sense of style and class, evident in the way she dressed and carried herself, to the magic she could create in a space of a home or business. She was a better artist than she gave herself credit for. She was a gifted writer and conversationalist. She could sing up a storm and loved to get together with family and friends to cheer them on after taking a Patsy Cline tune for a spin.
Patsy was as festive of a person as you’ll ever encounter, sending her kids and grandkids gifts on holidays as minor as Valentine’s Day, and she always found ways to celebrate the small victories for the people she loved. The Christmas season was her favorite and was on a whole ‘nother level.
Patsy loved all creatures great and small. Friends and acquaintances would remark, “I want to be reincarnated as one of your pets.” She was brilliant, creative, compassionate, hilarious and fun! As one of her former brothers-in-law recently avowed, “Nobody, and I mean no one, enjoyed life as much as Patsy.”
She was always easy to laugh and that quality endured throughout her illness. Even staff at both Heber City care facilities, in which she resided, marveled at the rarity of Patsy’s happy disposition to the very end. As Gina shared, “She created her own happy world as only Patsy could.”
Patsy was preceded in death by her parents and all three of her siblings.
She is survived by her husband of sixty-plus years, David; sons, Mark, Tony and Matt (Lynese) Madia; and daughter, Gina (Kevin) Mazzucola; along with grandkids, Kaylee and Jordyn Nebeker, Jack and Madia Mazzucola and Mac Madia.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
