Obituary

Patricia Sue Tipton Esrael

Tuesday, December 7, 1937 - Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Patricia Sue Tipton Esrael, a lifelong resident of the Bluegrass, died Wednesday March 16th.

Pat was born in Springfield, Ohio, on December 7, 1937, to William and Blanche (nee Park) Tipton. She moved to the Bluegrass at age two, to live with grandparents Florence Alexander Tipton and William Letcher Tipton and Bess Alexander Park and John Embry Park, upon the death of both parents in 1939.

Pat taught English for more than four decades. She began her career at Leestown Junior High School in 1963, and taught many years at Southern Junior High School. She was part of the inaugural staff that opened the new Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.

In 1985, Pat was selected as the first recipient of the Fayette County Teacher of the year award. She was also a member of the first Leadership Education Class of Lexington. After retirement from Fayette County Schools in 1993, she taught another nine years at Lexington Catholic.

Travel was an integral part of her life. Pat chaperoned more than twenty student groups to Europe. She was active in state and local education associations. Genealogy was a passion. She was a member of the Cynthiana Daughters of the American Revolution and Boonesborough Society DAR, the Madison County Historical Society, the Parke Society, and the Society of Boonesborough. Pat was a lifelong lover of pets including numerous cats and dogs, and her horse, Ben.

Pat was active in the Women’s Network of Kentucky, a volunteer with Hospice of the Bluegrass and served on the Midway College Alumni Board.

Pat was preceded in death by a son, William Marshall Scully. She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Terry Allen Esrael; a son, Edward A. (Barbara) Drondoski of Ft. Pierce, FL; two step children, Trevor Allen (Tonya) Esrael of Carmel, IN, and Wende (Greg) Randall of Wyoming, MI; three grandchildren, 7 step grandchildren; sister Billie Jean Tipton VanHook of Cynthiana, KY and her children and grandchildren; sister-in-law Sandra Esrael and her husband, Peter Williams, of Madison, WI. Also special friends Ann Esrael Williams of Carmel, IN; Gil Duran, Oakland, CA; Diana A Martin, Lexington; Morrison Leroy Jenkins, Lexington; the Birthday Club; and her Shi Tzu, Raylan.

Burial was in the Richmond Cemetery immediately following private services at Milward-Southland. The Reverend Robert Bueter S.J. conducted the gathering/conversation and burial.

Pat asked that any memorials be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 2312 Alexandria Drive, Lexington 40504; The Fayette County Humane Society 1600 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, 40504; or the Kentucky Jesuit Mission, 2807 Phoenix Road, Lexington, 40503. Or support a charity of your choice.

Pat and her family appreciate the sensitive and professional care received from Hospice of the Bluegrass.

The family requests that those who share their sorrow commit to arranging a special day with their own loved ones.

Condolences, testimonials, stories and remembrances may be placed on her Facebook page.