Patricia Stonham Radisch

KERNERSVILLE-Patricia Ruth Stonham Radisch was born January 14, 1932, in Montclair, NJ, to Malcolm Hugh Stonham and Winifred Hewitt Truex Stonham. She died on Sunday March 30, 2014 in her Raleigh home.
Pat was a graduate of Hendersonville High School and St. Mary's Junior College in Raleigh, and attended Women's College in Greensboro (now UNC-G). While at WC, she asked a young man in the dormitory lounge for a light for her cigarette. Back in her room, a friend about to embark on a double date needed a substitute for her beau's friend's blind date. It wasn't rocket science for Pat to realize that the fellow was the handsome young man in the lounge, who happened to be a rocket scientist. The date was a success and the two married July 11, 1953 (and both quit smoking in 2000!). Pat decided to forgo her final year of college to devote her energies to full-time homemaking and volunteering. She always regretted not receiving her degree, but was a devoted wife, mother, and engaged member of her many communities.
During her 58 years with ""Willie,"" the family moved frequently to accommodate his work as a missile systems engineer. Far flung homes included El Paso, TX, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands, White Meadow Lake, NJ, Winston-Salem, NC, and Kernersville, NC. After their children were grown, Bill and Pat moved once more, to Lessenich, West Germany, for two years while Bill worked with NATO. Not appreciated by her children until their adulthood was her full-time job of coordinating these long distance moves every two years. Her outstanding organizational skills ensured that wherever the family landed, it was home.
Pat was a creative soul who expressed herself through several artistic pursuits, including jewelry making, oil painting, photography, poetry, and crafts. She loved traveling, gardening, warm weather and the ocean, and enjoyed the company of many good friends throughout the world. Pat volunteered with the Micronesian Handicrafts Shop on Kwajalein, the Shepherd's Center of Kernersville, Korner's Folly, and Kernersville Little Theatre, where she excelled as a set designer and props master. With Bill, Pat was also a founding member of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Kernersville. She enjoyed the daily paper's crossword and Jumble, as well as an evening cocktail of bourbon and Seven-Up.
Pat enjoyed being a lifelong learner and avidly kept up with news, current events, and political issues. Friends old and new appreciated Pat's quick wit and her desire to make things better. When Pat's older daughter was studying botany at UNC-Chapel Hill, Pat learned about the ginkgo tree and realized there was one in the heart of Kernersville, next to the Pinnix building. When it appeared the ginkgo might be a victim to the parking lot going in, she appealed to the town's powers and shared the importance of the tree which still stands today, a legacy to her, at least to her children.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Malcolm Hugh Stonham, Jr. of Sacramento, CA. She is survived by children Deborah L. Radisch and husband Andy Standen of Raleigh, William H. Radisch of Guilford County, and Rebekah C. Radisch and partner Gail A. Albergo of Durham. She was a loving and proud Oma to Carolyn P. Fisher (husband Sam Fisher) of Columbia, SC, granddaughter Kathryn F. Penry of Washington, DC, and grandson Malcolm A. Albergo-Radisch of Durham. She also leaves nieces and nephews in California, Illinois, and North Carolina, and several cousins. Yokwe yuk.
Thanks to the caring staff at Sunrise Senior Living of Raleigh and Hospice of Wake County. Donations in Pat's memory and honor can be made to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church of Kernersville, The Shepherd's Center of Kernersville, Korner's Folly, or Kernersville Little Theatre.

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday April 3, 2014 at 2:00 pm at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1110 Salisbury Street, Kernersville. The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Hayworth Miller Kernersville Chapel is assisting the Radisch family.

Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com

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