90th birthday gala celebration for Pat Stoner

Golfers and homeowners in Cottonwood were pleasantly surprised to hear the sounds of live music along their greenbelt on Saturday, Oct.5, 2019. The occasion was the celebration of resident Pat Stoner’s 90th birthday. Pat’s daughter Jan McClellan and son Bryce McClellan provided vocal stylings to the accompaniment of pianist Tom Young.

The event was well attended by members of Pat’s many social activity groups. She serves on the board of trustees at Sun Lakes Methodist Church, as well as a department head of the SLM’s Krafters group. Pat is also active in SLM’s Single Group, the “Wine Group”,the “Wild Women of Watford Way”, and the General Motors Alumni monthly outings. The gala was attended by Pat’s four kids and their spouses, step-daughters (the late John Stoner), and grandchildren and spouses, including those who flew in from Michigan and Colorado.

Pat is known for being one of the core dancers of the Dancin’ Grannies, an aerobic troupe who performed locally, as well as on The Tonight Show (Pat could still perform a cartwheel in her 60s!), and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC. The Dancin’ Grannies released several exercise videos for seniors in the 1990s.

Pat’s daughter Jan led the Detroit-based girl band, The Debutantes, followed by a 10-year stint as a solo singer in Las Vegas productions. Son Bryce, a principal in the Phoenix USD and long-time singer/musician, performs in the band at Praise & Worship in Chandler, along with Tom Young.