Patricia Joan McKenzie "Pat" Jaap

We celebrate the life of Patricia “Pat” Joan McKenzie Jaap, who passed away on June 15, 2025.

Pat was born in Ashland, West Virginia, in 1940 to Bailon and Georgia McKenzie. Her family later relocated to Florida in 1945 , where she met the love of her life, John C. Jaap. Sweethearts since the seventh grade, Pat and John were eager to begin their life together and were married in 1958.

A devoted and nurturing mother, Pat's greatest joy was her family. She lovingly raised five children and embraced her role as grandmother to eleven grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and three step great-grandchildren - with two more great-grandchildren on the way. She found deep happiness in holding and rocking them as babies, cherishing those quiet, tender moments.

As the proud wife of a retired US Army soldier and Vietnam War veteran, Pat embraced the life of an Army wife with strength, adaptability, and grace. She faithfully stood by John during his deployment to Vietnam and all the challenges that came with military life, anchoring their family with love and resilience.

Pat had a deep and abiding love for nature in all its forms. Whether caring for wildlife, household pets, or cultivating lush vegetable and flower gardens indoors and out, she had a true nurturer's spirit and a remarkable green thumb. She also delighted in bluegrass music and dancing, passions that added rhythm and joy to her life.

She was preceded in death by her beloved son, John Patrick Jaap (Annelise); her parents; and her two brothers.

She is survived by her husband, John C. Jaap; her children: Jason Jaap, David Jaap (Stefanie), Audra Lowman, and Amy Butler (Paxton); her grandchildren: Amanda Berns (Christopher), Hillary Jaap (Jorge), Tanner Lowman (Chelsea), Conner Lowman, Kaitlyn Jaap “Katie-bird”, Olivia Jaap, John Paxton “JP” Butler, Savanna Jaap, Simon Butler (Joanna), Nicholas Jaap, and Claire Butler; her step-grandchildren: Ilya Wang and Alex Wang (Noni); her great-grandchildren: Sophia Berns, Christopher Berns, and Kennedy Lowman; and her step great-grandchildren: Chiimaaka Boado, Liwanag Boado, and Ray Boado -- all of whom will carry her love in their hearts forever.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to her caregiver Taine McKee.

Pat will be remembered for her strength, resilience, gentle wisdom, and the encouragement she gave so freely. Her memory lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

The family will receive friends for visitation and a memorial service at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at 11:00, followed by a committal service at Salisbury National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat's memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org.