HELENSBURGH, SCOTLAND
Patricia Ann Blackadder, 93, of Helensburgh, Scotland, a native of Brownstown, Indiana, passed away on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Born on March 11, 1924, Pat was the eldest daughter of Judge John C. Branaman and Mrs. Molly Kopp Branaman.
The Branamans were lifelong residents of Brownstown, Indiana, and Pat’s family history included ancestors who fought in the Civil War. Pat’s father was a respected circuit court judge and the sole judge in Jackson and Lawrence Counties in Indiana for many years. Pat’s mother collected antiques, was active in community groups and was an avid bridge player.
Pat is preceded in death by her parents and a brother Frank, who died during childhood. Her lifelong close companion and only sister, Jacqueline Branaman Halla Bogart, also preceded her in death on January 14, 2008.
Pat and her family were members of the Brownstown Presbyterian Church.
Pat had a very happy childhood, which she described in a college essay:
“How well I can remember the exciting games, such as cops and robbers, pirates, etc. we used to play together. One girl and I were stung by the acting bug one summer and produced (and) acted in an original play every week or so. Our admission charge was 5 cents, and our audience usually consisted of about two friends and the various pets of the neighborhood; but, nevertheless, we enjoyed our dramatic fling very much.”
Pat’s very congenial family enjoyed doing things together. They spent summers at cabins on Lake Huron in northern Michigan and Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin or simply traveled. Pat said she would always cherish her memories of these delightful times.
Pat enjoyed her school years at all levels and excelled socially and academically. She loved Brownstown High School and took part in all the extra class activities. Pat was proud that she sought and was elected president of nearly all the school organizations at one time or other during her high school years.
After high school, Pat attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. However, her sister, Jacqueline, convinced Pat to transfer to Barnard College in New York City and, therefore, that is where Pat completed her degree. On graduation, she embarked on a career as a human resources administrator with Babcock and Wilcox Ltd. in New York. Pat fondly remembered sharing an apartment in New York with her sister, Jacqueline, during those years and the exciting times they enjoyed together.
It was during her employment in human resources with Babcock and Wilcox that Pat first met an engineer from Scotland named Thomas Blackadder. Tom joined Babcock in Scotland and later became managing director and chairman of its subsidiary, Diamond Power Specialty Ltd. As part of his employment, Tom was briefly transferred to Babcock’s New York office. Pat had the intriguing assignment of interviewing him during his initial days on the job.
On July 21, 1961, Pat and Tom were married in New York City, attended by family and friends. They honeymooned in Barbados and subsequently moved to Southampton, England and later Helensburgh, Scotland, where they shared the same home for more than 50 years. During their long and happy marriage, Pat and Tom traveled and entertained frequently and Pat enjoyed many years of bridge games with good friends.
Pat is survived by her nephew, John Halla, and his wife Christine Hansen, who visited her regularly in Scotland and will miss her dearly. Pat delighted in having her godson Fergus Barr and his family, Janny and Phoebe, close to her in Helensburgh. She is remembered fondly by many dear friends in Helensburgh and in Brownstown, Indiana.
Pat will be returned to her Indiana home. Her remains will be buried at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown, alongside her family and her beloved husband, Tom. Private services will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to Twin Cities F.I.T., a 501(c)(3) organization of which Pat was a generous benefactor. Twin Cities F.I.T. promotes good health through specialized exercise and proper nutrition education for children having all manner of physical, mental or emotional disabilities. Memorials for this organization may be given through Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown.
Local arrangements are being handled by Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown.
Online memorials and condolences may be given at <a href=”http://[email protected]“>[email protected]
