Patricia Ann "Pat" McFarland, a retired Weldon Valley school teacher, died Monday, September 24 in Fort Morgan. She was 78. Pat was a mother of three and grandmother of five. Her children and grandchildren were grateful for the chance to say goodbye to her before she passed. During those final visits, she expressed her love and her pride in her children's lives and accomplishments and in the terrific young adults her grandchildren have become. Pat was proud of her teaching career, which became a full-time vocation as a Middle School teacher in Weldon Valley in 1971. She taught language arts and social studies while also serving as a pep squad and student senate advisor for a number of years. She was a tough but fair teacher, and was respected and well-liked by her students. She retired in 1996. Pat loved to be intellectually stimulated and treasured the opportunity to discuss any number of subjects with family and friends—from politics to books to art—whenever possible. If the topic was something she knew little about (which was rare), she enjoyed the discussion even more, and asked probing questions until she grasped the subject. She particularly liked to hear viewpoints that differed from her own, especially well-reasoned arguments, even if they didn't sway her. Pat was born March 9, 1934 in Ashkum, IL, to Lester and Edna Warmbir. Pat's father died in 1982 and her mother passed earlier this year at age 99. Pat graduated high school in Las Animas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado in Boulder. In 1958, she married Vernon Leroy McFarland of Fort Morgan. Vernon died in 1991. Pat is survived by two daughters—Kay Bowman of Pueblo, and Diane Datteri of Evanston, WY—and one son—Larry McFarland of Fairview, NJ. She is also survived by one granddaughter—Erin Datteri of Greeley—and four grandsons—Ryan Datteri of Nashville, TN, Kyle Hobbs of Pueblo, Blake Hobbs of Pueblo and Kevin Hobbs of Grand Junction. A son-in-law, Greg Bowman of Pueblo and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Chicoyne of Fairview, NJ, also survive. She is also survived by Tom and Annette McFarland, as well as many other extended members, whose friendship and love she treasured. Pat was preceded in death by her brother, Ken, who died in 2006, and a sister, Sandy, who passed earlier this year. Her sister, Kathy, and brother, Jerry, survive. At her request, no services or memorials will be held.