Patricia Smith Carlson, 71, of Warren, PA, died peacefully, Monday, September 18, 2023, at her home with her family at her bedside.
She was born December 17, 1951, in Warren, PA. Pat was the daughter of John J., Jr. and Anne A. Smith. She resided most of her life in Warren, PA., having lived a few years in California and Ohio.
Pat was a 1969 graduate of Warren Area High School. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in History from Ohio University. She was a special agent with the U.S. Government before moving back to Warren. Upon her return, she was employed by Blair Corporation, starting in returns and retiring as Director of Human Resources.
Pat was devoted to her faith; her greatest joys in her life were her family, especially her husband, children and grandchildren, her siblings, and her friends. She had a special love for natural beauty. She was a 20-year Ovarian Cancer Survivor and survived two other life-threatening conditions.
Pat was a very active member of her parish and participated in ministries including the bereavement ministry and delivery of Christmas packages to the needy. Bringing her family into parish activities was one of her favorite ways to pass along her heart for service. As an active member of her community, she was a volunteer and/or board member for: the Library Association, The Cancer Society, Hospice, the Audubon Society, the Women’s Club, the Garden Society, and the Blue Stockings.
Pat loved to be involved in the activities of her children and grandchildren. For instance, she was captivated by the beautiful voice and dramatic talents of Anna, and enjoyed all Bobby’s sports, even to the point of dirt-biking with him. She was delighted to have the Carlson family move to her parents’ home just down the street from her beloved “Stonebottom”, the home she purchased when she returned to Warren.
Pat liked few things better than sitting on her deck watching the birds, drinking coffee or wine and soaking in all the natural beauty surrounding her. Pat enjoyed picnics at “Banky’s”, the wooded camp on their property, where she taught valuable lessons, held scavenger hunts and caused regular grandparent mischief. Pat was passionate about tennis and enjoyed teaching the next two generations how to play. Her love of water was never-ending, from enjoying family time at Van Buren Point to kayaking the Allegheny. Pat inherited her father’s ability to write amusing and apt poetry for personalized greetings cards.
Pat loved to travel with her husband John around the country, especially visiting family and friends every winter in Florida. In recent years they spent time in the Azores, the home of her grandfather. She visited family in France and Slovenia; one memorable and extremely taxing trip was with her mother who was struggling with dementia. Pat barely survived the incessant questions about where they were and why. She tagged along with her sister Janet on various speaking tours and was astounded that she was in a position to say to a bishop in Scotland “Your excellency, please pass the salt.”
Pat was an excellent cook, baker, seamstress, and knitter. She redecorated the house every holiday. She knit baby outfits for pregnancy help centers and animal dolls for her grandchildren. For the last year, Bobby and Molly and their 3 boys lived with Pat and John, a great comfort to her. She lovingly took care of her own parents in their declining years.
She had a wonderful group of friends in Warren who knit with her, played tennis and paddle tennis with her, and made jam. Pat found amusement, joy, and comfort in a group of high school friends who reunited with weekly zoom meetings. Pat had a marvelous sense of humor and entertained those around her, herself included! For the last year, she has been reminding everyone that “This may be a dying wish.” Her wish was that everyone knew how much she loved them. She was grateful for all the great times she had with them and for all the loving things they did for and with her.
She is survived by her husband of 21 years, John A. Carlson, whom she married on June 28, 2002, in Warren, PA. 4 Children – John Carlson III and wife, Kathryn of Warren, PA., Nicole France and husband, Joshua of Winter Garden, FL., Anna Kelley and husband, Ryan of Mayville, N.Y., Robert Forbes and wife, Molly of Warren, PA., 4 Siblings – Jim James Smith of Baltimore, MD.,
Prof. Janet Smith of Pinckney, MI., Gregory Smith and wife, Allison of Milton, DE., Marcia Smith of New Smyrna, FL., Sister-in-law, Kathleen Smith of Rochester, N.Y.
She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren: Emma Carlson, Grace Carlson, Rogan Kelley, Aiden Hardy, Grady Kelley, Brayden Towne, Singh France, Leah Kelley, Amelia Towne, Jackson Forbes, Elijah Forbes and Bennett Forbes. Many nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gary B. Smith, and 5 miscarried children in heaven.
Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted on Friday, September 22, 2023, at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell St., Warren, PA. at 11:00 A.M. with Fr. Stephen Schreiber, Pastor, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery, Warren, PA.
Those wishing to place memorials may do so through Holy Redeemer Church Faith Formation, 11 Russell St., Warren, PA. 16365, or Warren Cancer Center, 2 Crescent Park, Warren, PA. 16365, or Hospice of Warren County, 1 Main Avenue, Warren, PA. 16365 or www.hospiceofwarrencounty.org Email condolences may be sent by visiting www.delewisfuneralhome.com
