1930
2017
On December 16, 2017, Patricia Ann Elder "Pat", passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 87.
Pat was born on August 30, 1930, in Picher, Oklahoma to the late George and Leona Yates. The family subsequently moved to Michigan, where they settled in the town of Breckenridge. Pat graduated from Breckenridge High School.. After graduation, Pat moved to Detroit to work for the local phone company, as a phone company operator. She was subsequently hired by Capital Airlines in 1952, and was stationed at the Midland/Bay City/Saginaw airport, where she worked as a Ticket Agent. It is during this time that she met her husband, who was also working for the airline as a Radio Engineer, and flew thru the area often. She married William "Bill" Elder on February 19, 1954, in the chapel at Alma College. She relocated to Arlington, Virginia after her marriage, and continued to work for Capital Airlines, which was purchased by United Airlines. Pat worked on what United called the Mainliner Desk, which handled travel reservations for members of Congress, as well as many of the larger companies of the day. Her career with Capital/ United Airlines spanned 35 years, until her retirement in 1985.
Pat enjoyed traveling, and benefitted from the generous travel perks available to her due to her employment with the airlines. She and her husband, and later her Son, explored many locations around the world, and were able to visit family around the country freely due to these benefits.
Pat loved to cook, which was a talent learned from her mother. Particularly memorable were the Christmas cookie baking marathons, where she would bake dozens of cookies, giving them as Holiday gifts, even sending cookies to her nephew while he was in Vietnam during the war. Her collection of cookbooks, and boxes full of clipped and handwritten recipes serve as a testament to her love of being in the kitchen.
Pat was a member of Fairfax Circle Baptist Church for many years, and afterwards transferred to Calvary Hill Baptist Church. She was active in both churches, assisting in teaching Sunday School classes, and volunteering in many church activities.
After retirement, she enjoyed working in her garden, volunteering with her church, and being a member of the Red Hat Ladies organization, where she made many new friends. However, the time Pat looked forward to the most, was their winter home in Arizona. Pat looked forward each year to leaving the harsh winter on the East Coast, and spending her time in the relative warmth of an Arizona winter, surrounded by a new group of friends, and drinking fresh squeezed juice from the fruit on the trees right outside their door.
Pat is survived by her loving husband of 59 years, William "Bill" Elder, her Son Thomas "Tom" Elder, sister Jayne Anderson, many nieces and nephews, and extended family. Her sisters and brother preceded her in death. The family is particularly grateful to niece, Renee Brawner, who put her personal life on hold, traveling from North Carolina, to assist in caring for her Aunt during her final days.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by National Funeral Home.
January 10, 2018
Vivian Rashidi
Dear Tom, I am very sorry to hear about the loss of your mom. May God rest her soul in peace. Please share my sincere condolences with your father and the rest of the family. Stay strong, you are all in my prayers.
January 4, 2018
Debi Bland
My cousin Pat and her husband Bill were always so good to us. It was always great fun when she, Bill and Tom visited California. We so looked forward to their visits. When our family visited DC in the summer of 1992 they were such gracious hosts. They took the time from their busy lives to show us many sites. I have to many fond memories of them over the years. Pat was always the first one to offer help when needed and I thank her for that. My parents so loved the times they spent together in Mesa Az during the winter months. You will be missed cousin. I know you are in a better place but it still doesn't make it any easier to lose you. Prayers for Bill and Tom in this time of sorrow. Love you Ron, Debi, Brian, and Erin .
January 4, 2018
Portia Kandemiri
Dear Tom, I am very sorry for the loss of your mom. May the good Lord comfort you at this time. She was a wonderful woman, who made a big difference to many people's lives. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your dad..
January 4, 2018
Friend
Judy Wonus
January 4, 2018
Peggy Bignell
Thomas: So sorry to hear about your Mom. Our Mothers are a true gift. I pray that God grant comfort and peace during this time of loss for you and your family. May the many memories of joy, tears and laughter fill your heart.
January 4, 2018
Brigitte Coleman
Tom, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She sounds like a wonderful lady and will be missed by many. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
January 3, 2018
Al Muench
Tom, very sorry for the loss of your mom. Keeping you in thoughts and prayers.
January 3, 2018
Tina Dexheimer
Tom-So sorry to hear about your mom. Deepest condolences. Prayers to you and your family.
Tina (Dex) Dexheimer
January 3, 2018
Thomas: Mothers are precious and she had a wonderful life and she will always be blessing you and be strong for your family. with lots of prayers. Namaste.
January 3, 2018
Kim Crawford
I am so sorry for your loss. May God bless you and your family.
January 3, 2018
Doug & Daisy Newberry
Bill - we are so sorry for your loss! Pat was always so kind and so much fun! I know there is a special place in heaven for her! May God bless you and your family!
January 3, 2018
Michael Whitey White
My heart goes out to Tom, and the entire Elder family, for the loss you have suffered.
I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Tom is a valuable member of our work family here at AMEX/GBT.
Respectfully,
Whitey.
January 3, 2018
Jay Karunakaran
Our Heartfelt condolences. May God give you courage to over come this difficult situation. Our thoughts and prayer are with you.... Jay Karunakaran and family
January 3, 2018
John Blair
Bill and Tom,
The Blair's struggle for words.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning's too deep for words. Romans 8:26
Time is often not kind: in relationships, in health and looks, in every temporal thing. We are comforted by our faith in an afterlife and in a spiritual time that is kind, and cannot be measured. In due course we will all be in perfect bodies in eternal harmony with one another.
Pats influence is manifest all over our home: in our memories especially the children in our photo albums, even in the curtains Pat made still in one of our windows. We also remember of all the children and families Pat touched in similar ways.
John, Beth, T.C., and Maggie
January 3, 2018
Frank Issi
So sorry for your loss! Your folks were always SO kind to our family. Adrienne adored your mom! She always had a special smile and words for us! The saving grace is that we KNOW Pat is with our Heavenly Father. God Bless ...
January 2, 2018
Family
David Lackey
Pat
We are going to miss you so very very much. You have always been so graceful and kind to Patti and my girls and me and have always had a very special place in our hearts. I will miss our get togethers at Shannons and Bobs almost every winter for the past several years and also our visits with you, Bill and Tom at your beautiful home in Virginia. Patti and I would always time our trips to Phoenix to coincide with yours and Bills to Mesa. I always loved to hear you reminisce about our grandmother when you were young. It was always a good laugh because I remember her the same way you did. So sad to see you go but you are now in a better place with Grandma Moore waiting for the rest of us.
With Loving Memories
David and Patti Lackey
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