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Breckenridge loses local businesswoman and philanthropist Patti Casey

Longtime Breckenridge local and philanthropist Patti Casey passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24. A memorial service will be held at Father Dyer Church on Sunday, Jan. 31.
Special to the Daily |

Summit County lost longtime local and philanthropist Patti Casey on Sunday, Jan. 24. Breckenridge locals remembered her as a generous go-getter, who was always present to volunteer, serving the community with meals, scholarships and more on top of running a business with her husband, Tim.

“She was a well-loved person,” Breckenridge realtor and friend Richard Wallace said. “A lovely woman with a gentle soul.”

In business, the Caseys sold several ranches through Mountain Marketing Associates, Ltd. Of their many successes, one of the most notable was the sale of Caribou Ranch, a Colorado property made famous for the many albums recorded there, including Elton John’s “Caribou.”



“She was so organized and so on top of it,” Wallace noted. “It was just a marvel how she had everything together at the same time.”

Outside of the office, Casey served with multiple nonprofits across the county, donating both time and funds to the Summit Foundation, the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center, Breckenridge Heritage Alliance and the town’s community dinner every Thanksgiving.



“I know it has a huge impact on the community,” Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center executive director Bruce Fitch said. “It’s very sad to see her part.”

Patti and Tim Casey met in high school before moving to Summit, more than 30 years ago. The two worked for a Keystone property management company before moving to Breckenridge.

“Tim and Patti were probably the first two people that we met when we moved here,” Breckenridge Mayor John Warner reflected. “She was a dear friend of 35 years.”

He added that whenever Casey served as an election judge, he knew the process would go smoothly.

In her spare time, she would go on annual hut trips and join a group of friends for the occasional game of bridge.

“It’s a sad story,” Warner said. “But there’s a hopeful side of it.”

Since her passing, the family created a memorial fund in her honor with the Summit Foundation, with donations to be used to help improve access to mental-health resources. Donors may simply make a note when giving a contribution to the Summit Foundation.

“They’ve been big supporters of us. It’s tragic,” Summit Foundation executive director Jeanne Bistranin said. “She and Tim really cared about the community.”

The foundation is still working with the family to determine the specifics of how to best support the cause.

A memorial service will be held this Sunday, Jan. 31 at 11:30 a.m. at Father Dyer Methodist Church, another organization where Casey often gave her time. The address is 310 Wellington Road, Breckenridge. A reception will follow at the Breckenridge Nordic Center.


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