Patricia Ann Praet

Patricia Ann Praet, known to nearly everyone as Pat, died on September 5, 2025. She was 78.

Born on August 13, 1947, Pat lived a life defined by caring and constancy. She believed in showing up—for her family, her church, and her community—and she did so steadily, over decades, without seeking recognition.

She was deeply involved in her community, including the PTA, her church, and other organizations. She valued institutions because she believed they only endure when ordinary people take ownership of them and do the work required.

Pat had small rituals that those close to her will remember well. After meals, she would reliably announce that she was full and would “never eat again,” a statement delivered with conviction but thankfully one she did not adhere to. She was an avid crossword puzzle enthusiast, patient and persistent. In a room, she was sincere, caring, often joking, and usually smiling.

She loved travel, especially to England, and was fascinated by British history and the royal family, drawn to the idea of continuity across generations.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and worked at various times as a teacher and in office roles. She also devoted many years to raising her sons while they were in school. What distinguished her was not the variety of roles she held, but the seriousness with which she approached each one. Responsibility, to Pat, was not optional or situational—it was a commitment.

Pat was predeceased by her husband, Norman William Praet, and her parents, Donald and Grace Cherry. She is survived by her sons, Norman Donald Praet and his children Hannah and Daniel, and Christopher Praet, his wife Heather, and their daughter Mackenzie. She was also survived by her sister, Lynn Carol Cherry, who died two months later.

Pat leaves behind a quieter legacy, but a durable one. She made life steadier for those around her.

A memorial service will be held on February 14, 2025, at 11:00 am at Genesis United Methodist Church in Cary, NC.