Patricia Alwood

Patricia (Pat) Alwood died peacefully with her husband at her side on October 27, 2013 at Roman Eagle Rehab and Health Care Center. Pat was born in Harrisburg, PA on January 10, 1930, the only child of Karl and Constance Gillett Patterson. She was raised in Baltimore and graduated from Eastern High School. She attended Union Memorial Nursing School in hopes of fulfilling a lifelong ambition to become a nurse. This dream was cut short by a severe spinal injury that would impair her ability to walk for the rest of her life. She married the love of her life, Richard Alwood, in 1950 and moved to Graham, NC with their two small children in 1960. In Graham, Pat was active in her children's PTA, and the Church of the Holy Comforter and was a founding member of the Gallery Players - a local arts group. She worked as Director of Volunteer Services at Memorial Hospital of Alamance County until health issues prompted her early retirement. In Danville Pat was still an active volunteer at Epiphany Episcopal Church and was a founding member of Hospice Support Services, serving as president for several years. She also volunteered at the Danville Science Center and was selected Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Pat is survived by her beloved husband, Dick, and their two children Karla Smith (Steve) of Baltimore and Sharon Ross (Gene) of Virginia Beach. Her four grandchildren are Maggie and Stephen Smith, Jr and Kathleen and Matthew Ross. The family is grateful for all the tender loving care provided by Commonwealth Home Nursing and Roman Eagle Nursing Center. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Church of the Epiphany (781 Main Street Danville, VA 24541) or The Danville Area Humane Society (996 South Boston Road Danville, VA 24540). A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Sunday November 3 at 2:00 pm at the Church of the Epiphany. The Rev James W. Mathieson will officiate. A reception will follow in the church parish hall. Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main Street, is serving the Alwood family.