Patricia Marie (née Loftin) Spear
Patricia Marie Loftin was born on November 13, 1931, in Asheville NC, to Edward Landis and Nellie (née Holmer) Loftin. She was raised in Weaverville NC, with her brother. She graduated from Lee Edwards (now Asheville High School), Meredith College, and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education in Nashville, where she was awarded a master's in history.
Pat taught high school history for a year there, and through Vanderbilt, she met Curtis V Spear Jr, as he was attending it's medical school. In 1956, Pat and Curtis were married, just before his graduation. They moved to Charlottesville VA, for his residency in Orthopaedics, at UVA. There, she taught history until they began their family in 1958.
Pat and Curtis next moved to Norfolk VA, in 1961. She and her family became parishoners of Larchmont United Methodist Church. Her focus was primarily on her family for many years; she established for her four sons their foundation of goodness and hard work, values and integrity, faith in God, and enthusiastic love of a full life.
Over the years, Pat enjoyed being a docent at the Chrysler museum, participating in a King's Daughter's circle, serving on the Naval Museum board, going to garden club, attending a long-running book study group, and more recently joining old friends in a Bible study at Good Shepherd Church. She loved her many friends and those found in all these endeavors. Pat also was a lifelong reader, gardened, endured family hikes in the Smoky Mountains, and returned often to Asheville.
Pat and Curtis loved life together and were also well traveled, especially after Curtis retired in 1996, visiting the Caribbean, England, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Poland, Russia, Italy, Scandinavia, Morocco, and France. They both respected and delighted in all the cultures, religions, and peoples they encountered. Most of all, they enjoyed being at their Sandbridge beach cottage together, for over 40 years, being joined regularly by their sons, daughter-in-law, and the two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison. She especially enjoyed the many walks with family she took over the years there.
When her husband Curtis was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, Pat was a source of strong support and encouragement to him over the next three years. In mid-March 2016, they had just opened up the Sandbridge cottage for the family after the winter when Curtis's health suddenly declined and he entered the hospital. At a point of hope of recovery during this decline, Pat celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with Curtis in his ICU room. It was to be the last time the two saw or spoke together, though no one knew it at the time. Her health declined after that celebration as a result of the stress she was under. By the time he died on April 7, 2016, she was suffering greatly from a broken heart with all the attendant effects on her health.
Pat rallied and recovered enough three months later for the family to finally have a memorial for her husband on July 9, 2016. In August, Pat rallied again for her last hurrah as matriarch at Sandbridge for her little brother Carl Loftin's 80th birthday. She was joined there by all of her family and most of her brother's family too. Patricia - mother, grandmother, sister, aunt - is and will be greatly and very painfully missed.
Patricia Spear peacefully died in her sleep before dawn Saturday, September 3, 2016, days shy of five months after losing her husband, Dr Curtis V Spear Jr. Litanies of love and prayers were offered, in her room just after she died.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her four sons, Curtis III, Edward, Louis, and Carl (Lisa); and her two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison; her brother, Carl Loftin of Asheville, and his children Susan Brooks Loftin, Patricia "Trish" Landis Loftin, and Edward Armfield Loftin; her many other nieces and nephews on the Spear side of the family; the Monroe family, Carl's in-laws, also local, with whom we celebrated most holidays for over 20 years; Brenda Griffin, her close companion of 49 years who together with Az Tamouro were her devoted caregivers in her last months.
A funeral service was held at Larchmont United Methodist Church, on Saturday, September 24, 2016, officiated by Rev Scott Rimer and Rev Randall Timmerman. Inurnment followed at Larchmont United Methodist Church Columbarium, in Larchmont, Norfolk City VA.
The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care and profound kindness she received over many years from Dr. Pat Thrasher, and in her last months from all the dedicated staff at Beth Shalom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
800 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk VA 23504
Patricia Marie Loftin was born on November 13, 1931, in Asheville NC, to Edward Landis and Nellie (née Holmer) Loftin. She was raised in Weaverville NC, with her brother. She graduated from Lee Edwards (now Asheville High School), Meredith College, and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education in Nashville, where she was awarded a master's in history.
Pat taught high school history for a year there, and through Vanderbilt, she met Curtis V Spear Jr, as he was attending it's medical school. In 1956, Pat and Curtis were married, just before his graduation. They moved to Charlottesville VA, for his residency in Orthopaedics, at UVA. There, she taught history until they began their family in 1958.
Pat and Curtis next moved to Norfolk VA, in 1961. She and her family became parishoners of Larchmont United Methodist Church. Her focus was primarily on her family for many years; she established for her four sons their foundation of goodness and hard work, values and integrity, faith in God, and enthusiastic love of a full life.
Over the years, Pat enjoyed being a docent at the Chrysler museum, participating in a King's Daughter's circle, serving on the Naval Museum board, going to garden club, attending a long-running book study group, and more recently joining old friends in a Bible study at Good Shepherd Church. She loved her many friends and those found in all these endeavors. Pat also was a lifelong reader, gardened, endured family hikes in the Smoky Mountains, and returned often to Asheville.
Pat and Curtis loved life together and were also well traveled, especially after Curtis retired in 1996, visiting the Caribbean, England, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Poland, Russia, Italy, Scandinavia, Morocco, and France. They both respected and delighted in all the cultures, religions, and peoples they encountered. Most of all, they enjoyed being at their Sandbridge beach cottage together, for over 40 years, being joined regularly by their sons, daughter-in-law, and the two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison. She especially enjoyed the many walks with family she took over the years there.
When her husband Curtis was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, Pat was a source of strong support and encouragement to him over the next three years. In mid-March 2016, they had just opened up the Sandbridge cottage for the family after the winter when Curtis's health suddenly declined and he entered the hospital. At a point of hope of recovery during this decline, Pat celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with Curtis in his ICU room. It was to be the last time the two saw or spoke together, though no one knew it at the time. Her health declined after that celebration as a result of the stress she was under. By the time he died on April 7, 2016, she was suffering greatly from a broken heart with all the attendant effects on her health.
Pat rallied and recovered enough three months later for the family to finally have a memorial for her husband on July 9, 2016. In August, Pat rallied again for her last hurrah as matriarch at Sandbridge for her little brother Carl Loftin's 80th birthday. She was joined there by all of her family and most of her brother's family too. Patricia - mother, grandmother, sister, aunt - is and will be greatly and very painfully missed.
Patricia Spear peacefully died in her sleep before dawn Saturday, September 3, 2016, days shy of five months after losing her husband, Dr Curtis V Spear Jr. Litanies of love and prayers were offered, in her room just after she died.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her four sons, Curtis III, Edward, Louis, and Carl (Lisa); and her two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison; her brother, Carl Loftin of Asheville, and his children Susan Brooks Loftin, Patricia "Trish" Landis Loftin, and Edward Armfield Loftin; her many other nieces and nephews on the Spear side of the family; the Monroe family, Carl's in-laws, also local, with whom we celebrated most holidays for over 20 years; Brenda Griffin, her close companion of 49 years who together with Az Tamouro were her devoted caregivers in her last months.
A funeral service was held at Larchmont United Methodist Church, on Saturday, September 24, 2016, officiated by Rev Scott Rimer and Rev Randall Timmerman. Inurnment followed at Larchmont United Methodist Church Columbarium, in Larchmont, Norfolk City VA.
The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care and profound kindness she received over many years from Dr. Pat Thrasher, and in her last months from all the dedicated staff at Beth Shalom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
800 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk VA 23504
Patricia Marie (née Loftin) Spear
Patricia Marie Loftin was born on November 13, 1931, in Asheville NC, to Edward Landis and Nellie (née Holmer) Loftin. She was raised in Weaverville NC, with her brother. She graduated from Lee Edwards (now Asheville High School), Meredith College, and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education in Nashville, where she was awarded a master's in history.
Pat taught high school history for a year there, and through Vanderbilt, she met Curtis V Spear Jr, as he was attending it's medical school. In 1956, Pat and Curtis were married, just before his graduation. They moved to Charlottesville VA, for his residency in Orthopaedics, at UVA. There, she taught history until they began their family in 1958.
Pat and Curtis next moved to Norfolk VA, in 1961. She and her family became parishoners of Larchmont United Methodist Church. Her focus was primarily on her family for many years; she established for her four sons their foundation of goodness and hard work, values and integrity, faith in God, and enthusiastic love of a full life.
Over the years, Pat enjoyed being a docent at the Chrysler museum, participating in a King's Daughter's circle, serving on the Naval Museum board, going to garden club, attending a long-running book study group, and more recently joining old friends in a Bible study at Good Shepherd Church. She loved her many friends and those found in all these endeavors. Pat also was a lifelong reader, gardened, endured family hikes in the Smoky Mountains, and returned often to Asheville.
Pat and Curtis loved life together and were also well traveled, especially after Curtis retired in 1996, visiting the Caribbean, England, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Poland, Russia, Italy, Scandinavia, Morocco, and France. They both respected and delighted in all the cultures, religions, and peoples they encountered. Most of all, they enjoyed being at their Sandbridge beach cottage together, for over 40 years, being joined regularly by their sons, daughter-in-law, and the two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison. She especially enjoyed the many walks with family she took over the years there.
When her husband Curtis was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, Pat was a source of strong support and encouragement to him over the next three years. In mid-March 2016, they had just opened up the Sandbridge cottage for the family after the winter when Curtis's health suddenly declined and he entered the hospital. At a point of hope of recovery during this decline, Pat celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with Curtis in his ICU room. It was to be the last time the two saw or spoke together, though no one knew it at the time. Her health declined after that celebration as a result of the stress she was under. By the time he died on April 7, 2016, she was suffering greatly from a broken heart with all the attendant effects on her health.
Pat rallied and recovered enough three months later for the family to finally have a memorial for her husband on July 9, 2016. In August, Pat rallied again for her last hurrah as matriarch at Sandbridge for her little brother Carl Loftin's 80th birthday. She was joined there by all of her family and most of her brother's family too. Patricia - mother, grandmother, sister, aunt - is and will be greatly and very painfully missed.
Patricia Spear peacefully died in her sleep before dawn Saturday, September 3, 2016, days shy of five months after losing her husband, Dr Curtis V Spear Jr. Litanies of love and prayers were offered, in her room just after she died.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her four sons, Curtis III, Edward, Louis, and Carl (Lisa); and her two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison; her brother, Carl Loftin of Asheville, and his children Susan Brooks Loftin, Patricia "Trish" Landis Loftin, and Edward Armfield Loftin; her many other nieces and nephews on the Spear side of the family; the Monroe family, Carl's in-laws, also local, with whom we celebrated most holidays for over 20 years; Brenda Griffin, her close companion of 49 years who together with Az Tamouro were her devoted caregivers in her last months.
A funeral service was held at Larchmont United Methodist Church, on Saturday, September 24, 2016, officiated by Rev Scott Rimer and Rev Randall Timmerman. Inurnment followed at Larchmont United Methodist Church Columbarium, in Larchmont, Norfolk City VA.
The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care and profound kindness she received over many years from Dr. Pat Thrasher, and in her last months from all the dedicated staff at Beth Shalom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
800 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk VA 23504
Patricia Marie Loftin was born on November 13, 1931, in Asheville NC, to Edward Landis and Nellie (née Holmer) Loftin. She was raised in Weaverville NC, with her brother. She graduated from Lee Edwards (now Asheville High School), Meredith College, and Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education in Nashville, where she was awarded a master's in history.
Pat taught high school history for a year there, and through Vanderbilt, she met Curtis V Spear Jr, as he was attending it's medical school. In 1956, Pat and Curtis were married, just before his graduation. They moved to Charlottesville VA, for his residency in Orthopaedics, at UVA. There, she taught history until they began their family in 1958.
Pat and Curtis next moved to Norfolk VA, in 1961. She and her family became parishoners of Larchmont United Methodist Church. Her focus was primarily on her family for many years; she established for her four sons their foundation of goodness and hard work, values and integrity, faith in God, and enthusiastic love of a full life.
Over the years, Pat enjoyed being a docent at the Chrysler museum, participating in a King's Daughter's circle, serving on the Naval Museum board, going to garden club, attending a long-running book study group, and more recently joining old friends in a Bible study at Good Shepherd Church. She loved her many friends and those found in all these endeavors. Pat also was a lifelong reader, gardened, endured family hikes in the Smoky Mountains, and returned often to Asheville.
Pat and Curtis loved life together and were also well traveled, especially after Curtis retired in 1996, visiting the Caribbean, England, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Poland, Russia, Italy, Scandinavia, Morocco, and France. They both respected and delighted in all the cultures, religions, and peoples they encountered. Most of all, they enjoyed being at their Sandbridge beach cottage together, for over 40 years, being joined regularly by their sons, daughter-in-law, and the two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison. She especially enjoyed the many walks with family she took over the years there.
When her husband Curtis was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, Pat was a source of strong support and encouragement to him over the next three years. In mid-March 2016, they had just opened up the Sandbridge cottage for the family after the winter when Curtis's health suddenly declined and he entered the hospital. At a point of hope of recovery during this decline, Pat celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with Curtis in his ICU room. It was to be the last time the two saw or spoke together, though no one knew it at the time. Her health declined after that celebration as a result of the stress she was under. By the time he died on April 7, 2016, she was suffering greatly from a broken heart with all the attendant effects on her health.
Pat rallied and recovered enough three months later for the family to finally have a memorial for her husband on July 9, 2016. In August, Pat rallied again for her last hurrah as matriarch at Sandbridge for her little brother Carl Loftin's 80th birthday. She was joined there by all of her family and most of her brother's family too. Patricia - mother, grandmother, sister, aunt - is and will be greatly and very painfully missed.
Patricia Spear peacefully died in her sleep before dawn Saturday, September 3, 2016, days shy of five months after losing her husband, Dr Curtis V Spear Jr. Litanies of love and prayers were offered, in her room just after she died.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her four sons, Curtis III, Edward, Louis, and Carl (Lisa); and her two grandchildren, Madison and Harrison; her brother, Carl Loftin of Asheville, and his children Susan Brooks Loftin, Patricia "Trish" Landis Loftin, and Edward Armfield Loftin; her many other nieces and nephews on the Spear side of the family; the Monroe family, Carl's in-laws, also local, with whom we celebrated most holidays for over 20 years; Brenda Griffin, her close companion of 49 years who together with Az Tamouro were her devoted caregivers in her last months.
A funeral service was held at Larchmont United Methodist Church, on Saturday, September 24, 2016, officiated by Rev Scott Rimer and Rev Randall Timmerman. Inurnment followed at Larchmont United Methodist Church Columbarium, in Larchmont, Norfolk City VA.
The family is deeply grateful for the excellent care and profound kindness she received over many years from Dr. Pat Thrasher, and in her last months from all the dedicated staff at Beth Shalom.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:
Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore
800 Tidewater Drive
Norfolk VA 23504
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
