Patricia Ann Sexton, 88, a resident of Whitehall Manor, formerly of Hanover Township, Lehigh County, died Jan. 6, 2013, in Whitehall Manor.

She was the wife of the late Burton Henry Sexton.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, she was the first child of Richmond Van and Sarah Jane (Stewart) Spencer.

She graduated from the former Allentown High School with the class of 1942.

She and her husband were married Oct. 28, 1943, in Washington, D.C., soon after he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army following graduation from Officer's Candidate School at Duke University, Durham, N.C.

She was an avid genealogical researcher into the histories and migrations of the Spencer, Stewart, Bowden and related families in the United States and worldwide.

She was a co-founder of Friends of Children and also Friends of Children of Vietnam.

She was intensely involved with these and other similar organizations as part of the efforts to resettle refugees from Southeast Asia, following the Vietnam War, and to promote the adoption by American families of orphaned and displaced children from Vietnam and other Asian nations.

She was a Den Mother for Den 1 of Cub Scout Pack 90, sponsored by the former Midway Manor Moravian Church, during the 1950s.

She and her husband were youth fellowship parents at the church during 1950s and 1960s.

Her survivors include a son, Spencer L., husband of Jane Susann (Weil) of South Whitehall Township; daughter Sallie A. McKenney of North-ampton; grandson Burton R. of Leawood, Kan.; nephew/godson, Michael J. Wetmore of Stroudsburg; cousin Kay B. (Ritter) Balliet of Allentown, and other persons to whom she is related either blood or marriage.

She was predeceased by a sister, Barbara J. Spencer.

She was the niece of the late C. Century "Bud" Ritter, a well-known musician in Eastern Pennsylvania during the Big Band Era and a longtime teacher, music instructor and orchestra leader in the Allentown School District.

Contributions may be made to a charity of one's choice.

Condolences may be made to the family at kellerfuneralhomes. com.

Arrangements made by Keller Funeral Homes Inc., Fogelsville.