Rita Elizabeth Padon
August 12, 1939 ~ August 8, 2018
Rita Elizabeth Padon née Atwood
“Becky” (Age 78)
On 8 August 2018, Rita Elizabeth Padon, of Great Falls, Virginia, was permanently released from the pain of this world. Friends, family, or wandering strangers, may greet her immediate family between 6-8 PM, Wednesday, 15 August, at Money & King Funeral Home, Vienna. At 11:00, 16 August, there will be a Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Vienna; On 18 August, Becky’s ashes will be interred at Cunningham Memorial Gardens, St. Albans, West Vir-ginia. Both the Mass and the Interment will be followed by a reception.
Mrs. Padon, was known as “Becky” to her friends, “Mom” to her children, and “Nana” to her grandchildren. Becky was born 12 August 1939 to the late Charles H. Atwood Sr. and Alyce Elizabeth Atwood née Hayes of South Charleston, West Virginia, where she was raised. She was graduated (BS, Psychology) from West Virginia University and worked as a medical secretary in South Charleston until 1965 when she foolishly married, Max, the guy who had chased her since Junior High. She set off on an adventure. Becky soon moved to Germany (on the western side of the Wall) where daughter Stephanie Ann was born before she moved to Virginia where her second child, (1st son) Christopher was born. He wasn’t walking yet when the family headed to the mid-west for almost two years. She returned to the DC area to have her second son, Ste-phen. Off to Korea they went. After all, why haul two young children to South Korea when you can do it with three? So, that is what she did. Five years there weren’t enough, but she decided to return to her house in Springfield, Virginia, because the rest of the family was. After a half year, Becky moved with the family to Great Falls, Virginia, where she happily lived until her death — well, except for three years living in Williamsburg. Can’t stay in one place too long. She made it to most of the 50 states, and had a great time in 20 foreign countries. Becky never saw an opportunity to volunteer that she didn’t like. She was a paid employee of the American Red Cross in Germany, and again in Korea; a Red Cross Volunteer in both countries, and ran the hospital volunteer program for two years in Korea. She volunteered in her children’s schools from nursery school until they were all out of high school. She was a room mother, chaperone, and her red hair was a familiar sight in school nurse’s offices. In a neighborhood full of “career women” she was the emergency contact for all, picking up the vomiting kids, and caring for them until a parent arrived to retrieve them. She was President of her HOA, and a Cub Scout Den Mother before she had a son in Cub Scouts. For two decades, she ran a support group for people with Panic (and other anxiety) Disorder; she baked thousands of cookies to ensure good attendance for her spouse’s Scout Troop leadership meetings, and had the door kids knocked on to get cookies, whether or not her own children were home. Whether home or abroad, she was the gracious hostess who provided food, and often a bed, to the guests her spouse brought home, often only an hour or less after the call announcing, “We can have guests for dinner, if you can feed them.” She always could. She also took out-of-town guests shopping, and provided transportation when needed. In her spare time, she was a loyal friend, loving Mother, supportive Mother-In-Law, unusual grandmother (the kids had to beat her at games, because after the age of 4, she didn’t let them win) whose opening phrase was, “Give me the baby.” In her spare time, she was a voracious reader, sewed, collected (and used) cookbooks, and for 52 years, 7 months, and 8 days was the most-wonderful wife. She got a little tired, and couldn’t make it to her next birthday.
She is survived by husband H. Maxwell Padon II; daughter Stephanie (Paul) Snow, Lake Oswego, OR; her older son Christopher (Ellen,) Fairfax; younger son Stephen (Heather,) Ed-wardsville, IL. She had nine grandchildren from 30 to 9, 5 boys and 4 girls, but only got one red-head. She loved them all regardless of hair color. Memorial contributions may be made in Becky's honor to the Stroke Comeback Corner, 145 Park Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Online condolences and fond memories of Becky may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
“Becky” (Age 78)
On 8 August 2018, Rita Elizabeth Padon, of Great Falls, Virginia, was permanently released from the pain of this world. Friends, family, or wandering strangers, may greet her immediate family between 6-8 PM, Wednesday, 15 August, at Money & King Funeral Home, Vienna. At 11:00, 16 August, there will be a Catholic Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel, Vienna; On 18 August, Becky’s ashes will be interred at Cunningham Memorial Gardens, St. Albans, West Vir-ginia. Both the Mass and the Interment will be followed by a reception.
Mrs. Padon, was known as “Becky” to her friends, “Mom” to her children, and “Nana” to her grandchildren. Becky was born 12 August 1939 to the late Charles H. Atwood Sr. and Alyce Elizabeth Atwood née Hayes of South Charleston, West Virginia, where she was raised. She was graduated (BS, Psychology) from West Virginia University and worked as a medical secretary in South Charleston until 1965 when she foolishly married, Max, the guy who had chased her since Junior High. She set off on an adventure. Becky soon moved to Germany (on the western side of the Wall) where daughter Stephanie Ann was born before she moved to Virginia where her second child, (1st son) Christopher was born. He wasn’t walking yet when the family headed to the mid-west for almost two years. She returned to the DC area to have her second son, Ste-phen. Off to Korea they went. After all, why haul two young children to South Korea when you can do it with three? So, that is what she did. Five years there weren’t enough, but she decided to return to her house in Springfield, Virginia, because the rest of the family was. After a half year, Becky moved with the family to Great Falls, Virginia, where she happily lived until her death — well, except for three years living in Williamsburg. Can’t stay in one place too long. She made it to most of the 50 states, and had a great time in 20 foreign countries. Becky never saw an opportunity to volunteer that she didn’t like. She was a paid employee of the American Red Cross in Germany, and again in Korea; a Red Cross Volunteer in both countries, and ran the hospital volunteer program for two years in Korea. She volunteered in her children’s schools from nursery school until they were all out of high school. She was a room mother, chaperone, and her red hair was a familiar sight in school nurse’s offices. In a neighborhood full of “career women” she was the emergency contact for all, picking up the vomiting kids, and caring for them until a parent arrived to retrieve them. She was President of her HOA, and a Cub Scout Den Mother before she had a son in Cub Scouts. For two decades, she ran a support group for people with Panic (and other anxiety) Disorder; she baked thousands of cookies to ensure good attendance for her spouse’s Scout Troop leadership meetings, and had the door kids knocked on to get cookies, whether or not her own children were home. Whether home or abroad, she was the gracious hostess who provided food, and often a bed, to the guests her spouse brought home, often only an hour or less after the call announcing, “We can have guests for dinner, if you can feed them.” She always could. She also took out-of-town guests shopping, and provided transportation when needed. In her spare time, she was a loyal friend, loving Mother, supportive Mother-In-Law, unusual grandmother (the kids had to beat her at games, because after the age of 4, she didn’t let them win) whose opening phrase was, “Give me the baby.” In her spare time, she was a voracious reader, sewed, collected (and used) cookbooks, and for 52 years, 7 months, and 8 days was the most-wonderful wife. She got a little tired, and couldn’t make it to her next birthday.
She is survived by husband H. Maxwell Padon II; daughter Stephanie (Paul) Snow, Lake Oswego, OR; her older son Christopher (Ellen,) Fairfax; younger son Stephen (Heather,) Ed-wardsville, IL. She had nine grandchildren from 30 to 9, 5 boys and 4 girls, but only got one red-head. She loved them all regardless of hair color. Memorial contributions may be made in Becky's honor to the Stroke Comeback Corner, 145 Park Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Online condolences and fond memories of Becky may be offered to the family at www.moneyandking.com
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Too many great memories over 47 years to list. Becky’s humor will be greatly missed.
Millie & John Hawbecker
So very sorry to hear of Becky’s passing. My heartfelt condolences to Max and family.
Bonnie Crabtree
Mark and I had the honor of meeting Becky a couple of times when she and Max came to Portland to visit. We both enjoyed her sense of humor and warmth. Our thought and prayers to all her family.