The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Shirley “Pat” Walden Criss, 82, of Orange, passed away Saturday, Oct. 12, Baptist Hospital in Orange.

A graveside service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, Oct. 19, at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens near Bridge City; the family will receive friends at 1:30 pm at the graveside.

Born May 25, 1931 in Ithaca, NY, Pat was the daughter of LeRoy Duryea Walden and Marion Stark Walden. Pat had an idyllic childhood, growing up in Freeville. She spoke of swimming all summer at the mill dam, and of setting traps with her father and brother, Don. Pat loved her childhood friends, especially Elsie, Jane, Dick, and first cousin, Ginger. She was so happy to see her friends at her 60th class reunion for Dryden High School.

Pat married fellow classmate, Robert Edward Lee Criss, Jr. and traveled across the USA and Europe while Robert was in the Army. She loved living in Germany and could still speak German. Pat raised five children; two sets of twins, Robert and Shelley, and Patricia and Pamela; and finished with Kathleen. After all her children were in school she went back to school and became a licensed vocational nurse. Pat loved nursing and took great pride in the care she gave her patients. She was especially proud of the care she was able to give her mother during her final years. Pat always said her greatest treasure was her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, LeRoy and Marion Walden; brother, Donald Walden; and sister, Joyce Owen.

Pat is survived by her children, Robert Criss and wife, Donna; Shelley Wright and husband, Scott; Patricia Brauer and husband, Larry; Pamela Ritter and husband, John; Kathleen Smith and husband, Paul; and brother, Bruce Walden and wife, Sylvia. She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, and multiple nieces and nephews.

Special thanks belong to Dr. Mazzola, Dr. Palafox, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Castellanos. Also, the family wishes their heart felt gratitude for the wonderful care provided by the nurses at Orange Baptist Hospital, Brandy Butler, Greg Skidmore, Patricia Ivey, Gwen Broussard, Shannon Lane, Vern Dover, Jennifer Jacobs, Shawn Sonnier, and Deborah Cutrer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s and Children’s Shelter; 1505 Main Ave, Orange, Texas 77630; 886-2222.