Patricia A Parker

Patricia A. Parker, formerly of Lowville, NY, died peacefully on May 16^th in Waynesville, NC, following a stroke the previous week. 

Born in Montour Falls, NY in 1942, Pat was a caring, spirited person who had a strong embrace of life and the people in it. A graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, she received her teaching credential from SUNY Cortland and soon after followed her husband, Carl Carpenter, to Lowville, NY. Pat was a born teacher and across her 25 years at Lowville Academy and Central School shepherded hundreds of kids through several different grade levels, renowned for her colorful bulletin boards, creative lesson plans, and a genuine affection for all her students. 

Following her retirement, she was an active volunteer and board member of the Lowville Free Library. Beginning in 1997, Pat began traveling south with her second husband, John Parker, spending winter months in the mountains of North Carolina to be near her daughter, Carol’s growing family. Following John’s death in 2019, Pat moved to North Carolina fulltime and dove still deeper into the many roles she cherished. She and John were active members of the First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville, where Pat was a member of the Session, Craft Guild, started the Healing Hearts grief support group, and Chaired the Fellowship Committee. From her time in Lowville, she was an active volunteer with the Presbyterian Women, attending workshops and meetings throughout the year with colleagues and friends. In recent years, she became involved with P.E.O. International, an organization dedicated to motivating and educating women across the world. 

At home, Pat was the consummate hostess, making guests at ease with attention to detail and excellent cooking. Few crafts were outside her expertise, and if you unwound all the sweaters, blankets, hats, mittens, and socks she knitted over the years, the yarn would stretch far into the universe. Her covered dishes arrived at the first sign of need, and she wrote enough cards and notes to keep Hallmark in business for decades. She was guided in her good deeds by her faith and the deep love she had for the people in her life, including many intersecting circles of friends. 

Pat was predeceased by her parents, Horace and Theresa Crout, and her two husbands. 

She is survived by her two children Brian (John Gordon) Carpenter of St. Louis, MO, Carol (Jay) Clarke of Lake Junaluska, NC, and her two grandchildren, Emma and Sarah Clarke, who were perhaps her greatest joy. She is also survived by stepson John F. (Sheila) Parker of Jamesville, NY, step grandchildren, Matthew and Meg Parker, and five nieces, Cheri, Peggy, Beth, Amy, and Michelle. 

A memorial service will take place at the First Presbyterian Church, Waynesville, NC at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 1, 2024, with Reverend Holly Davis officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lowville Free Library, 5387 Dayan St, Lowville, NY  13367 or First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville, 305 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC  28786.