Patricia H Keck passed peacefully on November 29th of sudden Kidney failure.

Trish was creating her art and enjoying life to the fullest till her last day. Working in her clay studio, preparing for Christmas at the Corazon Gallery every day prior to her flight. She was also enjoying Aqua Yoga and celebrating with friends till the very end.

Trish, a resident of Trinidad for over 30 years, had a deep spiritual and creative connection with the nature of this high desert. She was first of all an artist but also shared her energy and resources with building the arts community and was excited to see how well our town was flourishing with new families and artists.President of the Arts Council, President of Trinidad Art League, Board Member at SCRT and a founding member of the Corazon Art Co-op are a few of her great accomplishments here.

Born Patricia Gay Harris 83 years ago in Tucumcarri New Mexico, she was fondly called Patty Gay. She grew up on a farm in Eastern New Mexico. Active in 4H, Patty won many awards for sewing, cooking and she even had a Grand Champion calf at the Start Fair with her brother Russel Harris. She was Valedictorian of her graduating class and went on to College at UNM Portales where she earned a bachelorʼs, had a daughter, Lora Gail, and started teaching English.

She also lived and taught Art in Las Vegas Nevada at Roy Martin Junior High for many years. Next stop Arlington Texas where she taught Design and Color at Bauder Fashion College. Then after moving to Arvada Colorado she traded teaching to be a full time Artist. Working 24/7 she built a successful art business traveling the states selling her pottery on the Art Circuit of the 80ʼs and 90ʼs.

Finally she settled here in Trinidad with Jerry Keck, opening Southwest Legacy Gallery, ( Bella Luna Building). They invested their lives, with Jerry returning to his home town. Sadly he passed with cancer, but mom stayed here in her new home town.

After Jerry passed she found a wonderful loving partner, Ken Arko, who could dance the night away and help her to build her dreams here, Ken. They built a beautiful home with a tipee and land to admire the wildlife and Fishers Peak. She loved Ken with her whole heart and was grateful to him until her very last breath Trish was born a leader, a doer and became a pillar to the arts community, that was virtually non existent at the time she arrived. Trish knew that this was a great cultural spot and that with hard work and a beautiful attitude it would flourish, as it is now. As a memorial to her, let us keep positive and loving, helping each other and forgiving the differences we have, to continue to build a strong community.

Trish is survived by her only daughter, Lora Nava, her loving partner Keneth Arko and many friends who considered her family. She will be dearly missed by all the folks she has mentored and celebrated life with.

There will be a celebration of her life at the A.R. Mitchel Museum on January 14th from 2:00- 6:00. Please join us for a sweet remembrance, some food and drink and a dance or two.