Patricia Hall Atherton's Obituary
Patricia Ann Hall Atherton died peacefully at her home on August 25, 2014 with her family at her side. She had just celebrated her 84th birthday.
The second child of Bernard and Clara Hall, Pat was born in Washington, D. C. on August 16, 1930. She lived in Silver Spring where she graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in 1948. She enjoyed her time at Blair and was a member of the Alumni Association until the end of her life.
After high school, she appeared regularly as a model on the Johnny Bradford Show. To view the show, her father had to visit a neighbor with a six-foot “cabinet” TV and a four-inch screen.
Pat met her future husband Jim in Herald Harbor through their shared love of dancing and swimming. Their marriage had an unusual beginning. They secretly married on October 18, 1949 at Woodside Methodist Church in Silver Spring followed by a second public ceremony on February 14, 1950 with family and friends. After her marriage they lived in Kensington, Maryland for ten years before moving back to Silver Spring. Their union lasted over sixty-two years.
In 1972, she and Jim opened Atherton’s Used Books on Antique Row in Kensington, Maryland. What looked like a part-time adventure turned into a full-time job. Her charm and intelligence were major ingredients in the store’s success and the success of Antique Row. They sold the store after ten years.
Pat was deeply involved in her community her entire adult life. She was an active member of St. Paul's Methodist Church, Kensington, Maryland for over fifty years. She belonged to the Kensington Historical Society, Montgomery County Historical Society, Kensington Players, National Society DAR-Eramus Perry Chapter, DAC (Daughters American Colonies), National Society of Colonial Dames XVII Century, Peace Links, CASA, Kensington Women's Club, Kensington Historical Society, New Annapolitans, P.E.O. International, Chapter O, Rockville, Maryland and the Caritas Society of St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland. She also was a Smithsonian Docent, an Election Judge in Montgomery County, Maryland, a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday School teacher , and a volunteer in her children’s schools.
Her greatest love and achievement was her family. With love and attention, she created the family and home she never had. Her last months of life were filled with visits from family and friends.
Pat was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-two years, James K. W. Atherton and is survived by their four children: Michael Atherton (Kathy Lewis) of Trego, Montana; Robin Atherton of Groton, Vermont; Jamie (Chad) Kirkley of Eureka, Montana; and Steven Atherton (Megan) of Northfield Falls, Vermont; fourteen grandchildren: Luke Stiles, Amanda Northrup, Corey Atherton, Earl Eutsler III, Patrick Gray, James Eutsler, Jennifer Gray Pennington, Kier Atherton, Chad Kirkley Jr., Joseph Atherton, Samuel Atherton, Ruth Atherton, Abigail Atherton, and Jesse Atherton; and eight great-grandchildren: Serenity and Selah Northrup, Evelyn and Leverett Atherton, Noah and Kaelyn Eutsler, Lydia Eutsler, and Lindsey Pennington.
Please join our family at a memorial service to celebrate the life and faith of Pat Atherton on Saturday, November 1st at 3:00 p.m.; St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 10401 Armory Avenue, Kensington, Maryland. A reception will follow in Heavener Hall.
***Please note the time change from what was previously published.
Contributions may be made to:
St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 10401 Armory Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895
Sherwood Forest Club - Cultural Arts Fund, 134 Sherwood Forest Road, Sherwood Forest, MD 21405
Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Hwy., Pasadena, MD 21122
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, [email protected]
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