Obituary

Patricia Holmes White, age 76, of Charleston, West Virginia, and Gaylord, Michigan, earned her wings on December 18, 2024. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her dear friends after a short, four-week battle with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Diagnosed by the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, she received all her care and treatment there. When all treatment options had been exhausted, Pat wanted to get back to West Virginia to spend her last days among friends in the “flat” she called home overlooking the Kanawha River. In true queen-like, Pat fashion, she hired a private medical jet and flew home in style. She sang “Country Roads” as the plane touched down at West Virginia International Yeager Airport. Only the best for Patty, as she was known to those who knew and loved her. She, as she did everything else in life, faced cancer head on, her way, on her terms and she “drove the bus” until her last breath. She may have had cancer, but cancer never had her.

Born in West Hartford, Connecticut, to Richard and Betty Holmes, Pat was the younger of their two children. Pat grew into a bright, opinionated, independent woman who first came to Charleston to study mathematics at the University of Charleston. She later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Marshall University. While there, she fell in love with West Virginia and decided to call it home.

The bulk of her professional career was dedicated to caring for the underserved and uninsured as founding chief executive officer of West Virginia Health Right. She helped provide free health care to thousands of West Virginians in need during her 34 years as the head of the clinic. She was one of the original founders of the National Free & Charitable Clinic Association and served as its President at the inception. Over the years, Pat received countless accolades and awards for her commitment to “health care access for all” which was the driving force behind her life’s work.

Pat served a decade in the West Virginia House of Delegates from 1984 to 1994 representing Putnam County. During her time at the Capitol, she championed legislation to protect the rights, health and welfare of women and children. One of her legislative hallmarks included significantly expanding Medicaid services for children and those in need. She was the chair of the House Health and Human Resources Committee, a key member of the women’s caucus and an outspoken legislator who did not back down from a fight when it came to something she believed in. She was never intimidated by anyone inside or outside of government.

Upon her retirement from West Virginia Health Right in 2014, she traveled the world and lived half the year in Florida and the other half of the year in Michigan. It was during this time she met the love of her life, Scott, and they spent nearly a decade together traveling, feeding the chipmunks in their backyard on Otsego Lake, and enjoying each other’s company in true domestic bliss. She and Scott left Florida and moved back to West Virginia in 2023 to be closer to all her friends. When he died suddenly in the summer of 2024, it left a hole in Pat’s heart.

Pat was a lover of mini-schnauzers, scuba diving, world travel, and the pursuit of women’s rights, equality and justice for all mankind. She loved to learn foreign languages in preparation for her travel abroad. She was an adventurer, went on many cruises and even trained to become a pilot. She was unstoppable and a force to be reckoned with. At the same time, she was also generous, loyal and loving to those blessed to call her a friend. A quintessential feminist and a lifelong Democrat, she was smart as a whip, outspoken, and readily willing to call out an injustice even if it meant standing alone.

Pat was brilliant at playing the stock market and an all-around stellar businesswoman, and she commanded a board room like no other. She earned the nickname of endearment, “the Queen Bee,” from her staff at West Virginia Health Right as a result. She used her success to do good and was a faithful donor to nonprofits like West Virginia Health Right, the Otsego County Food Pantry and the Southeastern Guide Dog group. She also established the Holmes Family Foundation to be sure that her charitable spirit of giving would continue long after her death. These are just a few of the characteristics that made Pat so great, well-loved and admired by many.

Pat, sensing her time on earth was coming to a close, said calmly with a smile she had lived a full, happy life and accomplished everything she wanted and was at complete peace. She said she knew she had loved ones (Mom-Betty, Dad-Richard, Brother-Rick and her beloved Scottie) waiting for her on the other side and was more than ready to go. If there is a heaven for four legged creatures, we all know Sherlock, Crumpett, Frazier, Samantha and many more of her beloved doggies from over the years were there to greet her as well. She is survived here on earth by her niece, Alexandra Holmes.

Per Pat’s wishes, she will be cremated with her ashes spread in all her favorite places: some in the family memorial garden at her family home in Gaylord, Michigan, some in Otsego Lake, and the rest to be placed by her scuba buddies in her favorite diving spot in the Cayman Islands.

A service in celebration of her life will be held at 6:00 p.m. on January 7, 2025, at West Virginia Health Right at 1520 Washington Street East, Charleston, WV 25311, and a reception will immediately follow. Friends and loved ones will gather, tell funny “Patty stories” and reminisce about her great, well-lived life with stories of her travel adventures, joyful times with friends, political battles and triumphs.

Her loved ones would like to extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to the world-class physicians, nurses and staff at MD Anderson for expediting Pat’s quick diagnosis and treatment and doing everything in their power to fight this rare, aggressive disease. Her experience there exemplifies why it is ranked the #1 cancer hospital in the world. Also, much gratitude to the staff of the Rotary House at MD Anderson for their kind, caring and accommodating demeanor to her and her caregiver friends throughout their stay. Again, nothing but the best for Patty.

In lieu of flowers or other tributes, Pat asked that, upon her passing, donations be made in her honor to West Virginia Health Right. All contributions are to be used to establish the Patricia Holmes White Memorial Fund at West Virginia Health Right in honor of her life’s work there. It is only fitting that those who knew and loved her help to continue her legacy at the clinic where she gave so much of herself over the years. Donations can be made online at www.wvhealthright.org or by mail to: ATTN: Angie Settle, CEO, WV Health Right, 1520 Washington Street, East, Charleston, WV 25311. Please put the memo “In Memory of Pat White” on your donation.

Condolences may be sent Pat’s loved ones at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.