Patti was born December 7, 1941, a day that will live in infamy - Pearl Harbor Day, and passed away peacefully on Friday, April 27, 2018 with her children at her side.

She is survived by her children, Phyllis Sultzbach, and Ron Watson, as well as her sister, Donna Markey, her brother, DL Stevens and her grandchildren - Austin Sultzbach, Kyla Watson, Dylan Watson (deceased) and several step-grandchildren.

She will be missed by hundreds, if not thousands, of former dance students, faculty and other entertainers/dancers that she helped mentor. Patti was so much too so many that her impact will live on through all those she touched.

At an early age, Patti discovered dance and blossomed at the Royal School of Dance in Winter Park, where she met Kip Watson, the father of her children. Before moving to New York to start her dance career and get married, she was selected as Miss Winter Park. Patti danced on and off Broadway and was a June Taylor dancer on the Jackie Gleason Show before returning to central Florida to open a dance school, the School of Performing Arts (originally named Kip Watson Dance Studio). She also co-founded the first professional dance company in Orlando.

She was married a second time, to Rick Walsh and ran her dance studio up until her retirement after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.

Patti was an extreme workaholic, but she also, truly enjoyed the outdoors, whether it be the mountains or the beach. She enjoyed her plants and yard work, but loved rocks. Oh did she love her rocks.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her name to the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.

In addition to the viewing on May 4th, there will be a celebration of her life, Saturday May 19th starting at 5:30 at Trinity Prep Theatre. Her children feel it would be only appropriate to celebrate her life at the theater.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers as we remember our beloved Patti. She was such a wonderful daughter, sibling, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and teacher of many. You will be forever missed Patti, but in heaven can now finally dance again!!!. Make sure you smile, sell and watch your lines!


Arrangements are entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home and Crematory, 9001 N Orlando Avenue, Maitland, Florida 32751. 407-695-CARE(2273)