Patsy Anne Bickerstaff

1940 - 2023

BICKERSTAFF, Patsy Anne, 83, of Richmond, passed away on January 11, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, William H. and Doris Doeppe Bickerstaff; brother, Richard Bickerstaff; sister, Janice Bickerstaff Adams; husbands, G.L. Curley Jr. and William W. Seay. She is survived by her sons, George Laurence Curley III and William Geoffrey Curley; grandchildren, William Bennett Curley, Mary Margaret Curley, Anna Paula Curley; foster brother, Dallas M. Brewer (Judy); friend and neighbor, Judith K. Bragg.

Patsy graduated from Westhampton College and T.C. Williams School of Law, University of Richmond. She was the first woman to practice law in Shenandoah County, Virginia. She was a retired Administrative Law Judge, Virginia Employment Commission. She was a member, lay reader, altar guild and "casserole patrol" member at St. Martin's Episcopal Church in Richmond. Her other accomplishments included, being a life member, former president and recipient of Lifetime Achievement Award, Virginia Writers Club; life member and former president, Poetry Society of Virginia; attended Bread Loaf Writers' Conference, Middlebury, Vermont; taught poetry mini courses through Osher Continuing Education program, University of Richmond; numerous poetry awards, including Robert Penn Warren Poetry Prize. She was a member of United Daughters of the Confederacy, General Stuart Chapter and former president of Janet Randolph Chapter. Other memberships included, Daughters of the American Revolution, MENSA, National Federation of Business and Professional Women (former president, Shenrocco Chapter), former (organizing) chair, RESPONSE (Domestic violence prevention agency, Shenandoah County). She was the author of four books and poems in over 200 publications. Patsy enjoyed International Folk Dancing, traveling and sightseeing in Europe and Virginia, and doll collecting and costuming.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at Bliley's, 8510 Staples Mill Road. Services will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, 9000 St. Martins Lane, Richmond, Virginia. Interment will follow in Westhampton Memorial Park.