Patricia Bowman Terwilliger

Patricia lived a remarkable life defined by family, generosity, creativity and conviction. While her accomplishments were many, those who knew her best will remember the warmth, strength, independence and devotion she brought to her family and friendships.

Born March 18, 1943, in Washington, D.C., Patricia graduated from the University of Georgia, where she developed a lifelong love for the Bulldogs. She remained a devoted Georgia fan throughout her life and took great pride in cheering for her alma mater.

Patricia raised two daughters, Bonnie Terwilliger Meshad and Tracy Terwilliger Driggers. Family was at the center of her world, and she took enormous pride in her daughters, grandchildren and the family that grew around them.

Generosity was one of the defining themes of Patricia’s life. Through the Patricia Bowman Terwilliger Family Foundation, she and her daughters devoted themselves to improving the lives of children and families, supporting children’s healthcare, education, medical research, epilepsy treatment, affordable housing, mental health, and families facing difficult circumstances. Epilepsy research was especially meaningful to Patricia. Her commitment helped establish the Patricia B. Terwilliger Family Chair in Epilepsy Research at Boston Children’s Hospital, supporting physicians and researchers working to better understand and treat seizures. She also served as co-chairman of the Epilepsy Research Fund and supported children’s healthcare and medical research through organizations including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Patricia believed philanthropy meant more than financial support. She wanted to be personally involved. Through Habitat for Humanity, she helped families achieve homeownership and, on two projects, joined Bonnie and Tracy in working alongside a veteran and their family to build their new home. She also supported educational organizations including Vanderbilt University, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and I Have A Dream Foundation- Atlanta.

Patricia was a gifted photographer and author with a discerning eye for the beauty, emotion and character of the world around her. Her photography was collected in several books, including It’s Just a Feeling, Through the Eyes of a Child, and Spurs and Jalapeños. Along with photography she also had a lifelong passion for politics and cared deeply about civic engagement and the direction of the country. A committed supporter of the Republican Party and its candidates, Patricia expressed that passion through active involvement and generous political contributions. She followed political affairs closely and was never shy about engaging in spirited conversation about the issues and causes she believed in.

For all her accomplishments, Patricia’s greatest source of pride and joy was her family. Her daughters and her grandchildren were the beneficiaries of her warmth, guidance, wisdom, generous spirit, infinite love and infectious laughter. Pat had an innate ability to make everyone around her feel as if they were the most important person in the world. A gaping hole has been left where her light shone brightly.

Patricia is survived by her daughters, Bonnie Terwilliger Meshad (Matthew W. Meshad) and Tracy Terwilliger Driggers (Clarkson Driggers); her sister, Vicky Easton (Randall Easton); her grandchildren, Griffin Leadbetter, Ava Leadbetter, Avery Dean and Savannah Dean; and her bonus grandchildren, Winston Meshad, Will Meshad, Ann Radford Meshad, Mac Driggers and Bailey Burnett.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Margaret Bowman, and her sister, Cynthia Bowman.

A celebration of Patricia’s life will be held at Peachtree Presbyterian Church Monday October 5th at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the I Have A Dream Foundation Atlanta https://www.ihaveadreamatlanta.org/donate or Young Life Atlanta https://giving.younglife.org/s/?MissionUnitId=a2s410000002v7uAAA&MissionUnitName=Northwest%20Atlanta&GiftType=Area&ClassCodeId=a2j41000000Nj93AAC&ClassCodeName=Operating&Frequency=Monthly