Patricia J Alton

Patricia (Pat) J. Alton departed this life on July 5, 2011 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio following a short illness. Pat was a graduate of DeVilbiss High School (Toledo OH) and received her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from the University of Toledo, where she was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority and Tri-D Educational Honorary. She was retired from Toledo Public Schools where she taught 4th grade at Old Orchard School. Following her retirement, she was also employed by Sylvania Veterinary Hospital in the Doggie Day Care. Pats passion in life was her basset hounds. She purchased her first basset in 1965 and became quickly immersed in the showing and breeding of quality basset hounds, having over 25 of her beloved Red Bay bassets receive Championships and Titles, including conformation, obedience, agility and therapy dog work in both the United States and Canada. Pat was the founder of Red Bay Bassets, which she and her friend Sandi Wittenberg have continued through the years to the present. Pat was a respected breeder of quality bassets in the show world and has dogs placed throughout the United States in loving show and pet homes. Pat was an active member of Basset Hound Club of America and Basset Hound Club of Western Pennsylvania. She also was a strong supporter of Michigan Basset Rescue. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Golda (Cooper) Alton and sister, Janis Alton Fernandez. She is survived by her nephew, David Fernandez Jr., brother-in-law David Fernandez (both of New York), and her close and beloved friend and partner in Red Bay Bassets, Sandi (Craig) Wittenberg. Pat is also survived by her beloved basset girls Kassie, Chrissie, Ouija and Lena who lived with her and her boys Grady, Hoagie, Johnny, Opie, Norm, Stachie and Quincey who live with Sandi. According to Pats wishes, interment will be private. A Memorial Celebration of Pats life will be held Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 5-7 PM at the Wittenberg home. Friends who are interested in attending may email sandi@redbaybassets.com for futher information. Memorial contributions may be made in Pats memory to Michigan Basset Rescue, 3588 Lotus Drive, Waterford MI 48329. Arrangements were made at H.H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home (419)473-1301.