Patty Roth

MADISON - Patty Roth

Arrived in Wausau, WI on 07/31/53.
Departed in Madison, WI on 05/08/15.

Yes, yes, I've written my own obituary. (In fact, I began writing it in January 2014.) So... that means my departure was not an accident. After years of contemplation, deliberation, and discussion, I decided to peacefully set sail for the next big adventure, in the comfort of my home-sweet-home on Beverly Road, listening to Chopin's Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23.

Preceding me in the semblance of death were my parents, Robert and Margaret (aka Bob and Peg). Their slow and agonizing end-of-life experiences affected me greatly. Their passings were neither humane, dignified, nor efficient.

Preceding my parents' exits were my beloved feline children: Lucy, Neko, Kudo (the most magnificent), Billy-Bob, Asia, and the tiny, supremely adorable Luisa Isabella Gambini. I am survived by my ex-husband and our remaining cherished kitties (Zha-Zha, Maya, Mary Nell, and Filippe), my sister Mary Burns of Rhinelander, brother Bill (Vala) Roth of Minneapolis, three nieces, one nephew, two great-nephews, and an abundance of exceptionally stellar friends, for whom I am eternally grateful.

Growing up in Wausau, I made it through 12 years of Catholic School (where I had some wonderful teachers, and many great classmates), before earning a degree in Music Education from UW-Stevens Point. I developed an intolerance for beer and organized religion while in college, which I maintained throughout my life. After obtaining my degree, I taught instrumental music at several parochial grade schools in Marshfield and Stratford, until moving to Madison in 1978.

My "claim to fame" was the creation of Mimosa Community Bookstore, which I opened in 1984 on N. Henry Street and currently thrives as Mimosa Books & Gifts on W. Gilman Street. I sold Mimosa in 2001, after 17 supremely satisfying years, to work at the Dane County Humane Society. After leaving the Humane Society in 2005, I worked for a senior services organization, and later an energy efficiency company. I was laid off from the latter employer on 08/01/14, which was very fortunate for me. I needed ample time to get my departure ducks in a row. Being given many unexpected months of total freedom (to socialize, sleep in, goof off... whatever) was a true blessing and a huge relief.

My parents were exceptionally good providers, who encouraged my siblings and me to travel the world. As a result, I visited more than 15 countries on various continents, including Singapore and Malaysia on a semester abroad in 1980, and Bermuda (13 times).

Although I was an avid dog lover, I became inadvertently owned by a series of exceptional felines (named earlier) who slowly and meticulously trained me to be a more compassionate human being. My soul would have been lost without them.

In the early 1990s, I prevented myself from becoming a couch potato by joining Joyce Sorenson's Exercise Studio, and got hooked on exercise-related endorphins. Over the next years I maintained my addiction to physical fitness (via pilates, Zumba, TRX, biking, etc.) while never depriving myself of whatever desserts crossed my path. Deprivation did not appeal to me, nor did I recommend it to others! Eat, drink, be merry... You know the saying...

Before taking my final bow, I had my hair cut (!) and donated to Locks of Love. Being a recycling advocate, I was also a registered organ donor. Unfortunately, some organs (liver, kidneys, heart) can only be used if the donor is on life support at a hospital. At least bone, skin, and tissue don't have such restrictions. Due to having eye surgery in the mid-90s, I couldn't give away my eyeballs, which provided me with many years of excellent vision. Oh well... I tried.

I regret not being able to donate all of my molecules. Other than that, I have very few regrets. I will be missed by some people, but not by others. To anyone whose feelings I ever hurt, please accept my apology. The human experience is full of challenges. I wish everyone well on their journey. I'll try to be helpful from the other side, so please wish me well too! (...life is but a dream.)

Although "The Sound of Music" is not one of my favorite things (despite having attended three sing-a-long events), here is a partial list of mine (not including the obvious: animals and chocolate):

- the scent of balsam fir
- classical music on public radio
- snow angels
- rhubarb desserts (not strawberry-rhubarb... yeck)
- Gosling's 151-proof black rum from Bermuda (try it in a root beer float)
- raisin scones from Crow Lane Bakery in Bermuda
- Bermuda, Bermuda, Bermuda (as well as Paris, Rome & the Island of Capri)
- Morning Glories (considered to be weeds in Bermuda - ha!)
- Donald Driver
- making fires in "real" fireplaces
- Kurt Vonnegut
- hobbits, elves, fairies, etc.
- Amish Communities (unless they run puppy mills)
- moon shadows
- Oprah
- Unitarians (they're so inclusive!)
- Cosmos flowers (esp. pink ones)
- hummingbirds and all migrating species
- Glenwood Moravian Trombone Choir Advent Concert performances
- A course in miracles
- freedom
- Eminem
- Lakeview Deli & Bakery
- PETA and PCRM
- quirky movies (i.e. Harold & Maude, In Bruges, Cold Comfort Farm)
- quirky actors (Johnny Depp, Christopher Walken, Kevin Spacey)
- Manna Caf�, Trader Joe's, Great Harvest, Aldi
- polka dots on cars
- Lakeview Veterinary Clinic
- Kalamata Olives and tomatoes, with fresh mozzarella & basil
- Hello Kitty
- lilacs
- Baileys Harbor, WI (Scottie Dog Rally, Cornerstone Pub)
- having no credit card debt
- tea with scones (preferably from Bermuda, of course)
- organ donors
- the animated movie, "Book of Life"
- this Abraham Lincoln quote: "I care not much for a man's religion whose dog or cat are not the better for it."

Eternal purrs of gratitude to the kind-hearted people who adopted the various foster cats I showcased at Mimosa over the years.

FAQ's:

Q) Was there a note:
A) Are you kidding? A note? Forget about it! I wrote a 2-page letter of farewell, and sent it to over 90 people. If your curiosity is overwhelming, you are welcome to read it on my Facebook page, which should have public access.

Q) What was the method used?
A) Nothing violent, so relax. You can read all about it in "The Peaceful Pill Handbook." I recommend "Final Exit" if you're interested in learning about helium, which was my second choice for self-deliverance. Oh wait... my first choice was... drum roll please... liquid pentobarbital.

Q) Was physical pain a factor in your decision?
A) Not yet.

Q) What about memory loss?
A) Sorry, what was the question?

Q) Depression?
A) Clearly you haven't been paying attention.

Q) Money?
A) I always had more than enough.

Q) Can you be serious for a minute, and share some final thoughts?
A) OK... Sigh... Here is the deal: I don't think it should be a "tragedy" when someone my age chooses a gentle, painless passing for themselves. What's really tragic is how phobic our society is about such things. And what has continually amazed me is that the cruel treatment of billions of animals each year for human consumption and medical research is ignored by 99% of our species.

Q) Wow, that was pretty heavy stuff. Do you have any final thoughts that are a bit more light-hearted?
A) Of course I do!!! If it helps, think of it this way: I wanted to enlist, rather than wait to be drafted! Bottom line, there's nothing "final" about this, in my opinion. Don't be fooled by my apparent physical absence... I actually think "death" is an illusion. (So does Richard Bach - check out his book, "Illusions", sometime. I read it in 1980... good stuff.) If you say, "I lost my mother last year," it's because you no longer know how or where to find her. But I guarantee she hasn't lost you!

Q) Where can memorial gifts be sent?
A) Wisconsin Public Radio / 821 University Ave / Madison, WI 53706
Dane County Humane Society / 5132 Voges Rd / Madison, WI 53718
Dane County Friends of Ferals / 627 Post Rd / Madison, WI 53713

P.S. If/when you see a car with polka dots on it, please smile and think of me! Peace. Out.