Patricia W Downing

After the death of her mother, Pat and her siblings were relocated to the Presbyterian Childrens Home of Lynchburg Virginia where Pat resided until her high school graduation from Boone High School in 1962. While in High school, Pat played volleyball and basketball and was active in the Beta Club with her sister, Judy.

Upon graduating high school, Pat moved to Clearwater, Florida with her sisters, Norie and Judy. Upon arriving in Clearwater Pat began work at Honeywell Aerospace until graduating from cosmetology school. Pat worked as a licensed beautician until 1973. She eventually met her future husband in a minor traffic accident in route to the Crystal Lounge in Clearwater Beach and soon after they were married.

She was a loving mother to three children Brian, Lisa and P.J.. Pat was an active parent participating in her children's activities such as football, softball, baseball, soccer, dance and band. She also was a parent volunteer at Oakhurst Elementary and a stay at home mom through her children's adolescent years.

Pat was an avid sports fan. She enjoyed attending the Rays games and when not in the stands, watched each game on television. She rang her cowbell at all the appropriate times and was always disappointed at a Rays loss. She was also an avid Lightning and Bucs fan.

Pat loved to travel and to visit Busch Gardens often. Her travels took her to places such as Hawaii, North Carolina, Texas, Arizona, Boston, Washington D.C. and all places in between. One of her favorite things was to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandson. She was very proud of all her grandchildren's accomplishments.

In 2004, Pat began her long battle with cancer. In March 2004, Pat was diagnosed with non small cell carcinoma. She received treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa.. Pat fought hard and remained cancer free for eight years. She was diagnosed in November 2012 again at Moffitt Cancer Center. Pat fought hard again but was never fully able to recover from her last round of treatment. Pat was later diagnosed in September 2013 with COPD and again in March 2014 with non small cell carcinoma in her lungs. Sadly, Pat lost her battle to COPD on March 8, 2014 at 4:49 am. Pat passed away peacefully with her husband by her side and family nearby.