Pat J. Larsen

Pat Larsen, beloved wife of the late Walter Larsen, died peacefully on September 17, 2024 at the Regional Hospice Center for Comfort Care & Healing. Pat was the dearly loved mother of Audrey Price and her husband Michael Whelan of Danbury, proud and loving grandmother of Dr. Alexa Price-Whelan and her husband Dr. Lars Dietrich, and Dr. Adrian Price-Whelan and his wife Lauren Glattly, and doting great-grandmother of Seren, Finn, and Rowan, all of New York.
Pat was born January 1,1921 in South Wales, United Kingdom, to the late James B. and Elsie Gibbon Gorst. The oldest of three girls, she was predeceased by her loving sisters Hilda Baker and Audrey Elliott. She was educated in the Swansea area and worked as a cost clerk there, and as the holidays of 1943 approached, Pat was asked by her boss to invite two American GI's to her home for tea. On Christmas Day Pat met Walt, a Danbury native who was stationed nearby, training for the Normandy Invasion. This chance meeting led to a long and happy partnership. After she and Walt were married in Wales, Pat came to the U.S. in 1946 as one of Danbury's first "war brides." She worked as a bookkeeper and was also active in the community as the treasurer of On Stage (bringing Performing Arts to the Danbury Schools), and as Chairman of the Residential Division of the Community Chest (later United Way). She was also a longtime volunteer at Danbury Hospital. During their 54-year marriage, Pat and Walt traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and 42 other countries.
Pat was a member of St. James Episcopal Church and of the Episcopal Church Women. She enjoyed knitting and other handwork, was an avid reader, and had a passion for the classical arts, especially ballet, which she studied for some time as an adult. She lived at home in Danbury, where she found joy and peace in admiring her view of Tarrywile Lake. As well as her immediate family, Pat is survived by "daughters" Roberta Levey Scrivner, Judie Ferris, and Debbie Murray, several loving nieces and nephews, and many dear cousins and longtime friends. The family would especially like to thank her devoted aide Madeline Robinson, dear friend Janet Brown, and the Regional Hospice for their wonderful care. Pat's accent, wit, and consideration for others made a charming impression on everyone she met and she will be sorely missed.
The Cornell Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements and at Pat's request, there are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Pat's name can be made to St. James Church, 25 West St, Danbury, CT 06810. A memorial service will be held at St. James on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 am and friends will be received following the service.