Patricia T. Hobson

Patti Thoma Hobson, nee Patricia Leigh Thoma, was born June 15th, 1946, in Berea, Kentucky and spent her early childhood through college in the bluegrass state. It wasn’t until the early 1970’s that Patti came to Washington DC and the surrounding metro area she would call home until her passing, August 4th, 2023.

Patti’s early career was spent working in the executive offices for Marriott Hotels until early in the 1980s when she became a member of the Executive Leadership team at the Watergate Hotel becoming their first Director of Marketing and Sales. Shortly thereafter, she married David Hobson, and relocated from Arlington, VA to Reston, Virginia during which time she transitioned out of marketing to part time work, allowing her to focus on her family responsibilities as well as traveling with her husband. During this time, she took active leadership roles at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church including heading the Outreach Committee, serving alongside David as a High School Youth group leader, Church Council member, an Elder, and the role she was most proud of as a Stephen Minister.

In 1995, Patti and David moved to a new home in Arlington, Virginia where Patti got involved in the local community through volunteering at The TWIG of Alexandria, VA and later being elected President 2002-2003. It was while Patti was volunteering at TWIG that she decided she was ready for a 2nd career and worked until 2020 as an independent contractor for various local government agencies. Patti found a new passion through her independent contracting work, which offered her a new network of colleagues, friends, and adventures. Adventures were not limited to work, Patti’s other passion became sailing where she and David spent many a long weekend aboard “True Love”, her happy place, on the Chesapeake. Go Boat! Patti spent the last few years splitting her time between Arlington and Florida – making new forever friends, at Faith Lutheran Church in North Palm Beach, FL and hosting lifelong friends with each new season.

Those who knew Patti know of her impeccable style and great taste. She was always dressed for the occasion and never without her “lips”, sunglasses and a designer bag. She had a love of decorating both her own home, and ALL those around her – often called on to pick fabrics, hunt for the best find at a local antique or art gallery, to helping renovate entire living areas! A great sense for quality and timeless elegance – Patti had a knack for finding a hot buy at a thrift store or a designer showroom!

Patti’s great taste wasn’t limited to fashion and interior design - she also had a taste for good food and fine wine! She loved the simplicity of country ham and biscuits to the finest pates and loved to demonstrate this through trying new recipes. When she wasn’t cooking, she was watching cooking shows and looking for recipes, Ina Gartner to Bobby Flay.

She was one of a kind, fiercely independent, and incredibly loyal – Patti was a true depiction of timeless elegance.

She is survived by her loving husband David of 40+ years, daughter Lindsay and sister Suanne Walsh (Walter) and extended families. Memorial Services are being held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Reston, VA on August 23rd, at 2pm. A second graveside service will be held at the Berea Cemetery, Berea Kentucky on September 8th, 11 am.

Donations can be made to The Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Georgetown Medstar Hospital where Patti was spent her final days after having been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid (Monocytic) Leukemia. We are grateful for Dr. Rivero and all of the incredible teams of doctors and nurses on staff and at school at this amazing facility.