Mrs Patsy Welch Drain

Patsy Welch Drain, age 87, of Springfield, Virginia passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. A visitation for Patsy will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at Murphy Funeral Homes, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. A funeral service will occur on Monday, March 20, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM at St. James Catholic Church, 905 Park Ave, Falls Church, VA 22046. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.murphy-fh.com for the Drain family. Patsy Jean Welch was born on April 15, 1935 in Galveston, Texas to Lorraine Butterowe and Harvey Welch. She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Houston in 1952 and the University of St Thomas in 1956. She received a master’s degree in English from New Mexico State University, where she met Albert Drain. They married in 1959, moved to California and had four children. Patsy taught English at the University of San Francisco for nine years and began a lifelong career as a volunteer in local and statewide politics, including Ronald Reagan’s race for Governor. The Drains moved to Japan in 1968, where Patsy was a Reading Instructor at Sancta Maria International School and then taught English to Japanese businessmen. The family moved to Falls Church, VA in 1971. Patsy worked part-time as Press Secretary to Jack Herrity (Fairfax County Supervisor and later Chairman of the Board of Supervisors) from 1974 to 1982 and was involved with the Republican Women’s Club and electing candidates. She attended George Mason Law School at night, graduating in 1981, at the age of 46, and then opened her own law practice, with offices in both Fairfax and Leesburg. Patsy was deeply passionate about obtaining the best results for her clients. She served on various boards, including as Fairfax County’s Electoral Board Secretary, attended many Republican National Conventions, was elected to the Republican State Central Committee several times, and was always enthusiastically recruiting new volunteers. Richmond was Patsy's home from 1998 to 2002, where she worked for Governor James Gilmore. She was honored to be chosen as one of Virginia’s Electoral College representatives in 2000. Patsy was stylish, very patriotic, loved to travel, loved her dogs, and was a Wolf Trap Volunteer for years. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s events and always asked a lot of questions. After closing her law practice in 2014, she returned to teaching Business English at Strayer University until 2017. Patsy worked hard her entire life, was an excellent writer, and always stood up for what she believed in, even when it was unpopular. She suffered a brain injury in early 2018 and slowly lost her memory, living out her final years at the Sunrise of Springfield, where she was well-cared for and loved. Patsy is survived by her four children: John Drain of Chesapeake, VA; Mary Marlowe of Vienna, VA; Katie Biele (Charles) of Atlanta, GA; and Edward Drain of Seattle, WA; seven grandchildren: Matthew Marlowe (Theodora), Chelsea Biele Holder (Trevor), Chad Biele, Christopher Drain, Jack Marlowe, Cailin Drain, and Lily Marlowe; and great-grandson, Hayes Holder. She was preceded in death by her sister, Susie Roach. A lifelong Catholic, Patsy’s Funeral Mass will be held at St James Catholic Church in Falls Church on Monday, March 20, 2023 at 10 am, followed by a 2 pm burial at Cedarwood Cemetery in Edinburg, VA. Visitation will be held at Murphy Funeral Home in Falls Church on Sunday, March 19, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.murphy-fh.com.