Patricia Louise Williams

1937 - 2025

ROANOKE, Va. - Patricia Louise Williams was born on Feb. 19, 1937, in Wilkes-Barre. On Sept. 14, 2025, after her final breath, Patricia gently crossed over into a place beyond our human sight.

She was the first child of Josephine (Budnick) (1913-1998) and Michael Dancheck (1906-1965) - both children of Eastern European immigrant parents. Patricia's family was not wealthy. The 1940 census showed that in 1939 their total family income was $280. But Patricia always said that her family never thought they were poor because she had a very happy childhood. She said her family was no different than their relatives and neighbors - nobody had luxuries, but everybody had everything they needed. Also in 1940, her brother Jerome was born. He died in 2018, but Patricia remained in regular contact with him and his wife Janet.

Neither of her parents graduated from high school but Patricia was a very good student and graduated from G.A.R. High School in Wilkes-Barre in 1954. She was a member of the field hockey team but was not allowed to be in the band because she was "a girl." All her life Patricia wanted to be able to help others. So, she went off to nursing school at the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and training in Danville. During this time, her mother, who was working at a bar and grill, encouraged one of her customers, David T. Williams, Jr. to meet her daughter. He was a lineman for the Bell Telephone Company and had served overseas as an airplane mechanic during the Korean War. They did meet and were married on June 15, 1957. Then came the three kids - David, then Doug, then Patrice. Patricia turned her attention to being the best Mom she could be so that her kids could accomplish whatever they wanted to in their lives. The family of five moved to Mechanicsburg, in 1964 when Dave was promoted and then to Clearfield in 1968 when he was promoted again. Pat and Dave lived in Clearfield for 15 years and Pat made many close friends there. She was truly the gold standard for the 1960s/1970s homemaker - supporting Dave and her kids. Always being caring, nurturing and a cheerleader - whether at school, on the golf course, or the tennis court. Wherever her kids were Mother was there to encourage, heal, and, if needed, console.

Patricia and Dave moved back to Harrisburg, in 1983 and lived there until 2009 when Dave's significant medical issues required that they move to Roanoke, Va. where daughter Patrice lived. Sadly, Dave died in November of 2011. Patricia said almost every day how much she missed him and believed he was still around watching over her and hoped that she would see him again.

Patricia's three grandchildren - Owen and Emma (David and Shirley in Lincoln, Neb.) and Kasey (Patrice in Roanoke, Va.) were born in the 1990s. Patricia was able to spend time with all three of them and was so very proud of how much they have accomplished. She was the kind of grandmother who called on the phone to chat and who sent hand-made cards and poems to them for all kinds of special and even sad occasions. Patricia had her dream vacation to England, Wales, and Ireland with Emma (Washington, D.C.) and her parents. And just this year Pat became a great-grandmother when Owen and Amelia Williams welcomed daughter Hadley into the family. Meeting Hadley a few weeks ago was truly a life highlight for Patricia when her whole family gathered in Roanoke. Hadley and Patricia quickly found a special bond - one just beginning life, one towards the end of life - but both part of the Williams family history.

Patricia was a resident of Woodland Hills in Roanoke for the last four years. She felt very fortunate to have met so many kind and caring folks in her time there. And even more fortunate to have Patrice and Kasey around - she so looked forward to their visits and appreciated all they did for her. And she always brightened when Doug (Durham, N.C.) did his morning "check-in" call. It is not an exaggeration to say everyone at Woodland knew and loved "Ms. Pat." Many have told her family that Ms. Pat always had a kind word, some type of encouragement, or a funny quip which brightened their day. But she never believed how many lives she had made better and how many people she helped in large and small ways - she just thought it was the right way to treat others. With kindness and caring. Patricia will be dearly missed by many, but her presence lives on in her family as an inspiration and a role model.

The family will have a private memorial service in October and on Feb. 19, 2026, her birthday, Patricia's ashes will be scattered off the coast of Myrtle Beach reuniting with Dave at the exact spot where his ashes were scattered in 2011. If you would like to donate money to a worthy cause in the name of Patricia Williams we suggest the Ryan Blaney Family Foundation (ryanblaneyfamilyfoundation.org) which is dedicated to raising awareness and resources to support those living with an Alzheimer's disease or concussion diagnosis. Or, if you wish, you may contribute to your favorite non-profit in Patricia's name. We know she would also really like it if you do random acts of kindness that brighten other people's day. Not just today but every day.