Patricia B. Wilson

1935 - 2017

A CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE AND LOVES OF PATRICIA B. WILSON

Virginia Beach - Patricia Blanchard Wilson went to be in the glory of Our Lord on

May 2, 2017, dying peacefully at her home in Old Donation, Virginia Beach.

She was born in Colon, Panama, on January 14, 1935 and was the loving daughter of Rear Admiral James Williams Blanchard and Dorothy Doris Blanchard of Arlington, VA. She was pre-deceased by her brother Captain James W. Blanchard Jr. and her sister-in-law Carol Lee Knight.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Captain Vaughn Edgar Wilson, Jr. with whom she just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary; her loving children, Martha C. Wilson and son-in-law Bruce Woodhouse of Virginia Beach; Vaughn "Trip" Edgar Wilson III and daughter-in-law Alice Watson Wilson of Pine Island, Florida; Mary L. Wilson and her fiance Patti L. Summerall of Corsicana, Texas, and Andrew S. Wilson and daughter-in-law Mary Beth Merlot Wilson and their children her blessed grandchildren Natalie and Zachary; her two dogs; many relatives and numerous friends too many to count.

Pat attended Punaho, Honolulu and Holton-Arms School and Junior College. She loved being a Navy Junior (USNA Class of '27) and she loved being a Navy pilot's wife (USNA Class of '53).

Growing up she and her mother were the first mother-daughter team to volunteer with the American Red Cross in Coronado, folding diapers and being nurses aides. She became a lifelong volunteer. She volunteered in the dispensary in Key West and for the Navy Relief in Norfolk. She was also a member of the Army Navy Club TOP. She also loved organizing Class Parties for 200-300 people. She worked at Leggett Department Store in the Gifts department her knowledge of crystal and silver and fine gifts was unmatched.

Pat loved living and traveling all over the world with her parents and with her husband, living in Naples, Italy and Lima, Peru, and traveling all over Europe many times, visiting Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Bermuda, Greece, and the Holy Land of Israel.

Pat was quick witted with a wicked sense of humor and was so full of life and loved so many things besides her family and friends. A short list would be her dogs, an occasional cat, Master Gardening, all seafood, OYSTERS, Mexican food - actually all kinds of food, the outdoor life, her dolls, her bunnies, her Lladros, art, fine wine and food, bendy straws, thunderstorms and many hurricanes, her horse, Flipper, movies, her backyard and especially entertaining her friends and family. She loved all faiths. Her favorite color was Hot Pink! And anyone who knew her knows that she always carried a kazoo in her purse! She was an avid reader and she loved Christmas. Go God!

A cradle Episcopalian, Pat taught Sunday School at St. Paul's Church, Key West, where she helped build a nursery and served on the vestry. She served on the vestry at Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park, Maryland. Pat was a longtime member of the Healing Order of St. Luke and she loved serving on the altar guild since the age of 11.

The thing that Pat loved the most was Old Donation Episcopal Church and all of the parishioners and clergy. She served on the altar guild for decades, helped start the flower guild, was on the vestry and on many commissions including Parish Life and Outreach. She taught Bible School for decades, helped out as an office angel for decades, visited the sick and infirm without a word to others. The Annual Oyster Roast featured Pat and her roasted oysters! She was a mother and a friend to everyone at Old Donation. She and Vaughn brought in many parishioners whose first memory was of their welcoming spirit. She loved Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with all of her heart and with all of her soul.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on June 3 at Old Donation Episcopal Church at 3pm with a reception following.

In Lieu of Flowers "because flowers are for the living" Pat requests that donations be made in her name to the Old Donation Episcopal Church Altar Guild or to the ODEC Capital Campaign Fund. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com