Gilbert Paterson Talbot Simons

On June 23, 2026 G. Paterson “Pat” Simons of Santa Fe NM, age 85, passed away peacefully at home after a long illness. Martha, his beloved wife of 52 years, was at his side. He is survived by his daughter Metta, son Will and daughter-in-law Youjin, granddaughter Anna Marie (Seber), and sister Nancy. After a childhood in NYC and Nebraska,and middle school years in Connecticut, Pat attended Boston Museum School of Art. His love of beauty, color and line found expression painting in oils. He gravitated to the teachings of Philip Kapleau and was one of the founding members of Rochester Zen Center. In 1970 he made a months-long pilgrimage to Asia along with his teacher and two friends. At the RZC he met and married his wife and became a loving husband and father. In 1982 they packed the family car and made the move to Santa Fe, where Pat continued fine woodworking, for many years at Blue Raven Construction. He took his kids to Cyndi Lauper and Ozzy Osborne concerts. He coached little league baseball and completed a counseling degree. He volunteered at a crisis center, helping families in danger escape from domestic abuse to safe houses. His love for painting returned in force, at first at La Puerta and then as a muralist around Santa Fe. His portraits, landscapes and still life emerged in the style of lyrical realism. Pat and Martha found connection with the Santa Fe and Crestone CO Tibetan Buddhist centers. In 1998 they made a trip together to retreat centers in India and Nepal. Pat deeply loved and enjoyed his large extended family, as well as his wide circle of friends and neighbors. He will be remembered and much missed by them all for his kindliness and his great gift of seeing the humorous side of the everyday. He delighted in and excelled at dad jokes and he characteristically had a loving twinkle in his eye. We are all so grateful to have had him in our lives! Heartfelt thanks to Enchanted Sky Hospice team for their compassionate expertise throughout Pat's interval of care, to M. Lichtenstein NP, and to Rivera FH for their personalized approach. And as always, thanks to Lama Karma Dorje and the KSK community. Donations in Pat’s memory can be made to KSK Bodhi Stupa (nobletruth.org) or to the Solace Center (solace.org).