Patricia Holmes Cowell

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Patricia Cowell, 84, of Reelsboro, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 in Reidsville, North Carolina.

Patricia Ann Holmes was born on December 9, 1938 in the house of her maternal grandparents, Ben and Gertrude Walton, in the small village of Beckingham in the county of Lincolnshire which is situated in the eastern part of England.  Pat and her sister Betty, who was three years younger, attended the pretty village school along with several of their cousins.  She often shared many stories about her life in England during WWII including her grandmother using parachute silks to make dresses; as well as, remembering children from London being sent to the country for safety; along with, having to black out all windows so no light could be seen by enemy aircraft.  The family lived in Beckingham until 1947.

Pat’s family then moved to Leicestershire where they settled in the village of Thurmaston, 4 miles east of the city of Leicester and the girls attended the local school and church.  Pat and Betty enjoyed a happy childhood playing with their friends in the fields nearby and having summer picnics by the river.  She was always protective of her younger sister and on one occasion Betty slipped while standing on a ledge at the edge of the river.  Betty fell into the water and Pat managed to pull her out and saved her from drowning and probably saved Betty’s life.  This was miraculous because Pat did not know how to swim and was always afraid of the water.  Patricia’s fear of water lasted her entire life and even with her own pool would only stay at the edge.

At the age of 11, Pat started at Roundhill Secondary Modern School in Thurmaston, leaving the school in 1954.  After leaving school, Patricia started her working life at Marks & Spencer’s department store.  She was employed in the dress department and enjoyed modeling the clothes for her customers and often modeled in their fashion shows.

Pat met her future husband Frank whilst on a night out with friends in Leicester in 1958.  They married on the 27th of September in the same year and had four children together.  Patricia was a devoted military spouse supporting Frank during his long military career.  She enjoyed all the various bases they were stationed at making many lifelong friends along the way.  Most importantly, she really loved that Frank was able to be stationed so many times in England which allowed her to be near her parents and sister.

After Frank’s retirement, she always promised her family that she would return to England as often as she could and she kept her promise and returned every 1-2 years.  She loved traveling, but did not like the humidity of Eastern North Carolina so Pat and her daughter Sarah would often escape the summer heat and had many adventures spending most of the summers in England, along with Canada and France.

England always held a very special place in her heart and for many years she belonged to a local New Bern English club, but she was so proud when she obtained her American Citizenship.

Over the years, she enjoyed substituting at the Pamlico County library and she also loved to knit baby jackets and booties for anyone expecting a baby.  She was a devoted member of New Hope Christian Church and enjoyed singing in the church choir and was very active in all church activities.

Patricia was a wonderful baker and loved to cook.  Her children remember her having fresh jam tarts ready as they got home from school and the smell of fresh baked bread throughout the house.  She made European recipes throughout her life and was known for her coconut pies, fried shrimp, Shepard’s pie, and all of her wonderful pasta dishes.

She loved to garden and had such a green thumb when it came to growing flowers.  She was very talented in sewing, making clothes for the children; as well as, Barbie clothes for the girls.  She enjoyed painting, wall papering, and could do anything she set her mind on.

One of the things that brought her the most joy was her love for animals.  She loved all dogs and was a member of Pals for Paws.  She attended meetings and actively participated in fundraising, parades, and in any way she could promoting the welfare of animals.  She adored dachshunds and her love for these dogs has been passed on to her children and grandchildren.  She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother.  She spent her entire life serving God and her family.  She will be greatly missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know her.

Patricia is preceded in death by her husband, Franklin DeWitt Cowell of almost 65 years; her parents, Gwendolyn Margaret Walton Holmes and William Edward Holmes of Thurmaston, England; along with, her son-in-law, Anthony DiPietro of Tucson, Arizona.

She is survived by, one son Russell Cowell (Carolyn) of Arapahoe, North Carolina; three daughters, Nicola DiPietro of Tucson, Arizona, Alison Francis (Mike) of Reidsville, North Carolina, and Sarah Smith (Charles) of New Bern, North Carolina; seven grandchildren, Heather DiPietro of New York, New York, Celeste DiPietro of Tucson, Arizona, Ivan and Iain Cowell of Arapahoe, North Carolina, and Tristan, Alistair, and Francesca Smith of New Bern, North Carolina; one sister, Betty Rattray of Knutsford, Cheshire, England; two nephews, Iain Rattray of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England, and Nicholas Rattray of East Leake, Nottinghamshire, England; as well as, several great nieces and nephews in London, England, Newcastle, England, and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Her memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m., Monday, July 31st at Daniels-Sadler Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Owen Peele and Rev. Seth Jones officiating.