Obituary

Patricia lynn richardson-newman, 74, passed from this life to the next on march 14, 2015, at hubbard hospice house. Patricia was born september 2, 1940, the first child of mansfield and virginia keenan, of belle, wv. She was baptized in judson memorial baptist church and attended kanawha county schools, where, despite her severe visual disability she was a high achiever, graduating from dupont high school. Throughout her life she took great pleasure in praising the high quality of education she received in the public schools of kanawha county, where she studied, for example, french language, journalism, and the great works of world literature.
Patricia continued her education, first at west virginia state college, then at west virginia institute of technology, and then at morris harvey college. During those years she met and married kenneth langdon richardson, to whom she was married 39 years, until his death in 1999.
Both patricia and kenneth studied religion and philosophy at morris harvey college, where their primary instructor and academic advisor was dr. Robert g. Newman, a.J. Humphreys professor of religion. Both patricia and kenneth earned bachelor of arts degrees, awarded by morris harvey college, and continued their graduate education in the theological school at drew university, madison, nj, where they earned master of theology degrees. Kenneth was ordained an elder in the united methodist church, greater new jersey conference, where he served five congregations until his death in 1999. Their daughter, kristan paige, was born early in those years of service in new jersey.
Patricia was a born educator who took seriously the opportunities she discovered to teach, her daughter at home, and the many young people from the families and neighborhoods she and her husband served across the state of new jersey. She loved the study of homiletics, the science or art of preaching, and she was often called upon to serve in the pulpit.
Patricia returned to her home state of west virginia in 2001, where she married her former instructor and lifelong friend, dr. Robert g. Newman. The ceremony was officiated by the rev. William g. Mcmorran in the chapel of kanawha united presbyterian church, november 28, 2001. By this time her new husband was professor of religion emeritus, university of charleston. Dr. Newman currently serves as director, the lay academy of religion, first presbyterian church, charleston.
Patricia is survived by her brother, mansfield steven keenan ii, her daughter kristan paige richardson-puketza, an acupuncturist of almost heaven acupuncture of charleston, and her husband, dr. Robert g. Newman. Patricia was a member of kanawha united presbyterian church, where she especially enjoyed serving as a bible moderator/teacher for the women of the church. She was a lifelong member of the order of the eastern star.
In addition to her love for languages, philosophy, and theology, patricia had an insatiable appetite for the fine arts, especially theatre and music of all genres. In her later years, she took up painting, learned to play the harp, and published several poems and short stories. She was cherished for her quick wit and humor and admired for her love of fashion. In her youth she studied ballet and later cultivated an affinity for ballroom dancing.
Patricia gave her body to science (wv school of osteopathic medicine) to promote research and learning, as an expression of her faith and as a contribution to the advancement of the human race.
Opportunities to express thanksgiving and to honor patricia’s life and service are planned in two steps. First of all, a memorial service of celebration of the resurrection and thanksgiving for patricia lynn richardson-newman will be held saturday, march 21, 2015, at 11:00am, at kanawha united presbyterian church, 1009 virginia st. E., charleston. The pastor, the rev. Patterson lyles, will officiate. A reception with light lunch will follow the service of worship in the church dining room.
Second, in about six months, when the weather warms up, patricia’s family and friends plan to organize a pilgrimage trip to the rehobeth united methodist historical schrine, located near union in monroe county, west virginia, in order with her to honor her scotch-irish ancestors who settled there as immigrants some two hundred years ago.
Patricia’s family would like to thank her primary care physician, dr. Aman, and the staff at charleston internal medicine; her oncologist, dr. Sayed of the david lee cancer center and the nursing staff on five south, camc memorial hospital; dr. Farris and the nursing staff at marmet center; and dr. Wirts and the nursing staff at hubbard hospice house: all of the above for their professional and compassionate care and service for patricia and her family, which is so valuable in time of need.
In lieu of flowers, gifts or donations in honor of patricia lynn richardson-newman and in celebration of the resurrection should be sent to (1) kanawha united presbyterian church, 1009 virginia st. E., charleston, wv 25301, or (2) to hubbard hospice house, 1001 curtis price way, charleston, wv 25311.
Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston, has been entrusted with the arrangements.