Patsy Roach Severin

Patsy was born in Drumright, Oklahoma, to Charles and Gladys Roach. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sister Sadie, who was her best friend.

Patsy graduated from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, where she majored in Home Economics. While in college, she met her husband Marlow, who was attending the University of Oklahoma.

Patsy and Marlow married young and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in April. They had three children: Marlena, David and Michael, who tragically died when he was 10 years old of cancer. Marlow was a mechanical engineer and it required the family to move all over the country every few years. Wherever they lived, Patsy enjoyed being a home economics teacher – usually in middle school, so she knew how to run a tight ship at home! She was passionate about public education and serving children.

Patsy had many creative talents and especially enjoyed reading, sewing, painting, cooking, gardening and playing golf. When macular degeneration started to claim her eyesight in her 80s, it was hard for her to let go of these hobbies, but she still enjoyed listening to audio books, college football and golf.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Marlow Severin of Raleigh; her daughter, Marlena (and Jimmy) Yates of Raleigh; her son David Severin of Simpsonville, SC; and her five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Katie (and Anthony) Thomas of Charlotte, and their children Mallory, Abigail and Lily; Kristen (and John) Umstead of Raleigh, and their children Harper and Wesley; Lindsay (and Clayton) Idle of Delray Beach, FL, and their children Brooke, Brayden and Kate; Dylan Severin of Delray Beach, FL; and Summer Severin of New York, NY.

Patsy was an active, hands-on mother, grandmother and great-grandmother (lovingly referred to as “GG”). Even when she was a plane flight away, she made the effort to attend her family’s dance recitals, plays, tennis tournaments, basketball games and birthday celebrations. She even visited her grandchildren in college and after college, where they quickly became known as “the world’s coolest grandparents” who could hang with the young people!

Patsy and Marlow loved to travel, and they saw the world together – many times with their golf clubs – until they were in their late 70s. They immersed themselves into the cultures and came

home with amazing pictures and stories. She was able to give travel advice to her grandchildren for their honeymoons and other special trips – even where to ride elephants in Thailand!

Patsy lived life to the fullest and was fiercely independent until several health events slowed her down. She survived bladder cancer about 15 years ago and underwent brain surgery earlier this year to repair nerve pain in her jaw. She was a “tough ole bird!” As she was nearly completely blind, she passed away in her sleep hours after her granddaughters read her favorite book to her, Me & Caleb.

A celebration of life is postponed until Patsy and Marlow can be celebrated together, per their wishes.

In lieu of any flowers, the family asks that memorial gifts be made to: North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children (ncfpsc.org), Dementia Alliance of NC (DementiaNC.org), or American Macular Degeneration Foundation (macular.org).

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.