Patricia Ann Howard, 86, of Roanoke County, passed away on Thursday, March 7, after struggling with Alzheimer’s disease for over 16 years.
Her husband of 49 years, Elmer (Spick) Howard preceded her in death in 2003.
Pat was born in Flint, Michigan, on March 15, 1932, to William and Lucille Perreault. After graduating Bendle High School as valedictorian in 1950, she served in the U.S. Air Force until her marriage in 1954 to USAF Sergeant Elmer P. Howard. They moved several times with their four children to various stations in the U.S. and overseas until the family settled in Roanoke in 1967. Pat then began her 22-year career with the U.S. Postal Service. She worked in the Grandin Road Post Office and the Main Post Office in downtown Roanoke until her retirement.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Dorothy and John Nicklo, Gina and Chip Roberts, Eddie and Annette Howard, and Diana and Scott Watkins; grandchildren: Joe Carnes and Carmen Worley; and great-grandchildren: Joey Carnes, Aylah Worley and Jemma Worley.
Pat is also survived by her sister Christine Case and brother Gerald Perreault. Her other siblings, William Perreault, Betty McCarthy and Robert Perreault, preceded her in death.
The family would like to thank the staff at Joseph C. Thomas Center and the staff at Snyder Nursing Home for their kind and skilled care of Pat in her final years.
At Pat’s request, there will be no service. The family would very much appreciate donations in Pat’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3959 Electric Road, Suite 357, Roanoke VA 24018.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.