Patricia Louise Starkey

Patricia Louise Tefft Starkey was born September 3, 1957 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska to William and Rita (Krausnick) Tefft and passed away April 19, 2017, at the age of 59. Patty was raised in Scottsbluff until the age of thirteen when the family moved to Claremore, Oklahoma in 1971. She attended Sequoyah Jr. High and went on to graduate from Claremore High School in 1976 with honors. She then attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree and Associate Degree in Chemistry. She accepted an internship as a specialized lab technician at Jane Phillips Hospital in Bartlesville, OK. Patty also worked periodically for a veterinarian doing lab work because she loved animals. After her internship, she remained employed with Jane Phillips and RML for 33 years. In 2013, she retired due to medical conditions. Patty loved children and was a beloved Aunt. She also was a foster parent for a period of time. She met Wayne Starkey in 1980. Their friendship grew over the years and finally started dating in May of 1997. On July 14, 2009, Patty and Wayne were married. After retirement, Patty and Wayne moved from Bartlesville to Copan to further their lives together. Since 2013, Patty was involved in Community Bible Study in Bartlesville. She loved needlework, scrapbooking, the great outdoors and helping others. Besides having dogs and cats, she enjoyed raising small farm animals and fostering many other animals. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jeanne Marie Berry; nephew, Isaac Gabriel Tefft and father-in-law, Arthur Starkey. Patty leaves behind her husband, Wayne, of Copan, OK; brother, Tom Tefft and wife, Brenda; brother, Bill Tefft and wife, DuRonda, all of Claremore; step-father, Larry Palmer; step-sisters, Vonnie Palmer and Terri Palmer and step-brother, David Palmer, all of Illinois; mother-in-law, Nancy Starkey; brothers-in-law, Kenneth Starkey and wife, Joeline; John Starkey and wife, Stacy; Neil Starkey and wife, Jasmine; sister-in-law, Anita Lemon and husband, Barry as well as many nieces and nephews. Memorials can be given in Patty’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 4590 E. 29th St., Tulsa, OK 74114.

Patricia Louise Starkey

September 3, 1957 - April 19, 2017