Beloved wife, dear friend, crazy big sister, adored aunt, great-aunt, and grandmother, Pat Ashworth, age 80, of Salem, Virginia, died on September 11, 2024. With an enduring love for Salem, her beautiful porch flowers, all holiday decorations, and laughter that often brought her and those around her to tears, Pat positively sparkled. With an uncanny eye for all things fun, children were immediately drawn to her – and for those lucky enough to be loved by her, she simply created magic.
Born in Roanoke, Virginia to Ray and Frances Peverell, Pat attended Andrew Lewis High School where she played on the girls’ basketball team, graduating in 1962 and after which she became a lifelong supporter of Andrew Lewis (eventually Salem High School) athletics. Several years ago, she began presenting an annual scholarship in the Peverell family name to a deserving Salem High School senior.
In high school, she developed a love for fast cars, once boasting that her speeding ticket was the fastest clocked in Salem that week. She went on to attend Ferrum College for two years before starting work at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, serving 42 years and 11 months. During that time, Pat could often be seen walking down and around Main Street, a 7-mile routine she kept up for 20 years and for which she was even written about in the paper.
Pat married her love, Larry Ashworth, 32 years ago, and together they lived in Salem and spent countless hours traveling to and tailgating at football and baseball games; eating great meals at The Homeplace and Mac & Bob’s; spoiling their grandkids, nieces, and nephews; and simply sitting on their carport, watching the world go by. Having traveled far and wide across the country, there was no place she’d rather be.
And when she wasn’t with Larry, she was with her best friend and neighbor for life, Betty Brubeck. Whether piddling around shops in Roanoke, picking out new posies, or playing countless games of cards with a Diet Coke by her side, Pat and Betty were inseparable from the start – born one year and two days apart. Joined by Larry and Ginny Brubeck, they formed the “Salem Crew,” often seen jumping into a minivan to hit the road and cheer on nieces and nephews at any type of event you can imagine.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Frances Peverell of Salem. In addition to her husband, Larry Ashworth and brother, Ed “Eddie” Peverell and wife, Patti of Palm Desert, Calif., Pat is survived by nieces, Courtney Partlow and husband, Brian of Leesburg, Va., Stacey Wilson and husband, Todd of Greenville, S.C. and nephew, Rick Dickow of Roanoke, Va.; chosen daughter, Aileen Vincent of Winchester, Va.; and central to her life, her extended family of Betty and Ginny Brubeck.
Her family, of course, was full of adoring grandchildren and great nieces and nephews whom she spoiled incessantly: granddaughter, Emma Ashworth of Salem, Va.; chosen granddaughter, Angelina Vincent; and great nieces and nephews, Addison and Tyler Partlow, Allison and Isabelle Wilson, and Maverick Dickow.
The family will welcome friends for visitation on Sunday, September 15, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of John M. Oakey and Son Funeral Home, Salem. A Memorial Service will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Neal Turner officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.johnmoakey.com.
