Patricia Ann Barker Vance Lamp

12/06/1934 - 05/23/2026

On May 23, 2026, the world became grayer because a ray of sunshine, Patricia A. Lamp, faded away. She was 91. Patty was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on December 6, 1934, to Edith (Bealmear) and Horace M. Barker. She graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1952. She attended Western Kentucky State College, Bellarmine University, and the University of Kentucky.

If one were to encapsulate Patty's life in a single phrase, "a life well lived" would suffice. She was a born athlete, she loved learning, and she was an expert at making people feel welcome and valued. She loved being active and, at one time or another, played tennis, racquetball, golf, skiing, diving, bicycling, and skating. In high school, Patty won at least five diving championships and was invited to try out for the Olympic Diving Team. In her thirties, she learned to ski and won at least seven medals in NASTAR and Ohio Valley Ski Council competitions. She approached everything she tried with enthusiasm.

For Patty, learning didn't stop because she had reached a certain age. In her forties, she learned to pilot a single-engine airplane. At the age of 50, she earned her RN license. At the age of 77, she decided that she wanted to learn to play the cello.

Taking a cello class might have stretched her courage and determination, but it didn't stop her. When she signed up for the beginning cello class at the University of Kentucky, she didn't know that it was primarily children in the class. She persevered to the very end and proudly appeared on stage for the class recital. Privately, she confided that she was hoping the audience would think she was one of the instructors.

Patty loved being a mother and spoke about it with such joy and devotion. She frequently commented that losing a child must be the worst thing that can befall a parent. She felt blessed that all her children remained safe and healthy during her lifetime.

Patty had one daughter, Laura C. Gibson (Jeff), and two sons, Eric Vance (Julie) and Marc Vance (Leticia). She also leaves behind four granddaughters: Anne-Claire Gibson, Shelby Vance (Tom), Elizabeth Vance, and Rebecca Vance.

Patricia was preceded in death by her first husband, Henry M. Vance; her brothers, Bruce and Larry Barker; and her stepson, Andrew Lamp. She was the beloved wife of Thomas Lamp.

Patricia's attitude about life can best be summed up in the advice she left for her granddaughters:

"These things I would suggest to you: Of greatest importance are kindness and thoughtfulness. You will never regret being kind or thoughtful. Throughout your life, make time to keep in touch with each person who has been special to you. Keep a lighthearted attitude, experience all you can, and have fun! Make time for stillness; quiet the monkey mind and feel the joy."

Patty was, without question, one of the kindest and most loving people. She was a loyal and devoted friend, a wonderful mother and grandmother, and had a gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and cared for. She brought warmth, laughter, and light into every life she touched. The world is a little less bright without Patty in it, but the love, joy, and friendship she gave so freely will remain with all of us who were lucky enough to know her.

The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 210 N. Main Street, Versailles, Kentucky. Interment will follow at 1:00 p.m. with her parents at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1600 Newburg Road, Louisville, Kentucky.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth for the Camp Maria Nature Center in memory of Patricia Lamp. Donations may also be mailed to:

Sisters of Charity of Nazareth
P.O. Box 9
Nazareth, KY 40048

Memorial donations may also be made to GreenHouse17 in memory of Patricia Lamp. Donations can be mailed to:

GreenHouse17
P.O. Box 55190
Lexington, KY 40555-5190

GreenHouse17 is an advocacy agency providing support to victims of intimate partner abuse.