Patricia S. “Pat” Hunt
The Queen of Algebra (aka Grammy, Grandma, The Wise Owl, and Mom) returned to the heart of her creator on Friday, January 14, at the age of 90. She died peacefully and painlessly at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC, near her residence in Brevard.
The consummate mathematician, Pat brought her keen analytical mind to every task. She could process information at an impressive pace and was never shy about offering the fruits of her analysis. Most often, that analysis yielded the insight that “nothing is as good as it used to be.”
A native of Manchester, Ohio, Pat taught algebra and calculus at several institutions, including Brevard College and Florida Southern College. She delighted in the beauty of math. When asked what she most enjoyed doing, Pat would unequivocally respond, “Algebra.”
A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, Pat would express how the Church significantly altered the trajectory of her life. A Methodist pastor encouraged her to be the first in her family to go to college. Attending Asbury College afforded her opportunities unknown to her parents. Pat majored in chemistry and math and unknowingly became a female pioneer in those fields where women were largely absent at the time.
While earning a graduate degree at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, Patricia met her husband to be, Brunner Hunt, at a Methodist church, of course. Brunner and Pat married and then offered much of their lives to Methodist higher education at the aforementioned institutions. Each served in their own numerical way, Pat as a math teacher and Brunner as an accountant.
Pat married and became a mother later in life than most women of her time. With her typical sense of humor, she revealed that she had expected to be a “single old maid.” But marry she did, and soon she and Brunner welcomed the arrivals of their sons, James Brunner Hunt, now of Wilmington, NC, and Allen Rhea Hunt, now of Julia, GA. She has offered them and their families a lifetime of unsolicited, but occasionally helpful, wisdom and worry. Pat considered worry her pre-eminent virtue and became the world-class Wise Owl of Worry.
Pat was the only child of the late Roy and Opha Spears.
Her sons, James (Tammy,) and Allen (Anita), survive Patricia. So too her four grandchildren, Allyson Allen (Brock), Stephen Hunt (Amanda), SarahAnn Knepper (Ben), and Griffin Monley (Killian). Her grandchildren were her greatest source of joy in her later years. And that joy expanded to include seven great-grandchildren with the eighth expected to be born any day now.
The family gratefully acknowledges the inspiring excellence of the teams at College Walk Retirement Community as well as at Mission Hospital for their excellent care and attention to Pat.
Pat was predeceased by her husband, Brunner. Their remains will be together at the columbarium at First United Methodist Church, Lakeland, FL.
In lieu of donations, the family invites you to send flowers to someone you love. For the financially inclined, you’re invited to make a gift in memory of Patricia to Asbury University in Wilmore, KY, an institution near and dear to her heart. And at the very least, eat a dessert in her honor. But be vigilant, as you may find that a substantial portion of your cake or pie has mysteriously disappeared in a confectionary version of the angel’s share.
Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com
Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.