Patricia Young Fontaine

Nov. 19, 1936 - Apr. 7, 2023 Patricia Young Fontaine passed away on Friday, April 7, 2023 surrounded by her loving family. She was the second of four children of Abraham Baker Young of Philadelphia, PA and Mildred Shirley Merrell of New York, NY, who preceded her in death along with her former spouse, John P. K. Fontaine.

She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer P. K. Fontaine of Birmingham, AL; grandchildren, Alexa Merrell Fontaine and Faith “Rex” Fontaine Rankin; nieces, Cheryl Chandler (Jerry) and Michele Webb (Les); nephew, David Dooley (Dorthe), and five grandnieces; three grandnephews.

Patricia was born on November 19, 1936 in Camden, New Jersey. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden. She enjoyed athletics and was a semi-professional basketball player; after marriage, she was an equestrian competing in show jumping. Before settling down in Birmingham, AL to raise her family, she had a career as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines (TWA) based out of New York City, NY, Kansas City, MO, and Newark, NJ. Her coworkers, who described her as always putting her best foot forward, selected her as hostess of the year in 1962. As a member of The Country Club of Birmingham, she enjoyed playing tennis on the USTA 4.0 team. Prioritizing time with her grandchildren, she often drove them home from school, took them shopping, and attended their extracurricular activities. Her family and friends also enjoyed her natural talent for cooking and entertaining. She will always be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, and friend.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in honor of Patricia on Thursday, April 13, at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL with Dr. Wayne Splawn officiating. Friends and family will be received in Hudson Hall, of Mountain Brook Baptist Church, from 1:00 - 2:00 pm. The graveside service will be officiated by Pastor Steve Longenecker and held at Forest Crest Cemetery, Birmingham, AL. Services are under the direction of Ridout’s Valley Chapel. Pallbearers will be Carl Hall, John Keith, Hunter Payne, Charlie Regan, Christopher Brooks, and Jerry Chandler.