Patricia Carlton, passionate artist
Patricia Ann Paletsky Carlton, 76, of Rehoboth Beach passed away Friday, July 20, 2018, at her home. She was born Sept. 29, 1941, in Harrisburg, Pa., daughter of the late Vincent and Natalie Paletsky.
Mrs. Carlton graduated from St. Aloysius High School in Jersey City, N.J., with the class of 1959. She attended Douglass College in New Jersey and graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1963. While there, she was inspired by her professor, Roy Lichtenstein, to follow her passion for art. This led to her becoming a docent for the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C.
Following college, her first job was as a data entry woman for the National Cash Register Co. Mrs. Carlton was proud to have authored the protocol that allows email exchanges.
She served as a board member, as well as president, over her decades-long involvement with the American Association of University Women, from which she received a Gold Lifelong Member Pin in 2017. She loved attending adult education classes at Osher Lifelong Learning, as well as being a member of the Village Improvement Association and the Rehoboth Beach Historical Society, where she volunteered at the museum.
A passionate artist, Mrs. Carlton enjoyed pottery and needlework, and was very involved with the Rehoboth Art League. A lifelong lover of the beach, she moved from Rockville, Md., in 2000 to make Rehoboth her permanent home. Mrs. Carlton was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Carlton was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 36 years, Robert Elsworth Carlton, in 2016. She is survived by her daughter, Deirdre Ann LaBarre and her husband Brent Oakley of Maplewood, N.J.; her son, Sedar M.T. LaBarre and his wife Kimberly Sweet LaBarre of Arlington, Va.; her grandchildren: Gwendolyn Oakley, Keiran LaBarre, and Skylar LaBarre; and her brother, Vincent Penn of Tampa, Fla.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 16, at St. Edmond Church, 409 King Charles Ave., Rehoboth Beach. Interment will be private. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Mrs. Carlton's memory to the Rehoboth Art League, 12 Dodds Lane, Henlopen Acres, DE 19971.
Visit Mrs. Carlton's Life Memorial webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
