Patricia Ann Lavey

Thoughts and prayers to the Jim and the Lavey family during this difficult time.

I’m so sorry to hear of the loss of Aunt Pat,
My deepest condolences and prayers going out to the family!
She was a very special lady!
Always so kind and loving when I would see her through the years!

Sending prayers and condolences to Jim and the entire Lavey family.

My deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to Pat’s beautiful family, whom she spoke of often. I teach a “Movements in Nature” class at Kensington and Pat was a passionate and enthusiastic student for many years. When we took the class outside, Pat would often close her eyes and sit quietly, absorbing the beauty of the natural world around her. When we identified the various sights and sounds of nature, Pat would often describe “the wind moving through the trees” and “the birds singing overhead” as some of her favorite sounds. Pat was sensitive, kind, compassionate, and deeply connected to the world around her. She shared her wisdom quietly, with elegance and grace. Her warmth of spirit will be me always. Blessings and love to her beautiful family, of whom she was so deeply proud. I’ll certainly miss Pat’s physical presence, but her essence will always remain. And whenever I hear the sound of the wind moving through the trees, I will think of her.

Grandma , grandma Lavey to us , was a foundational element of my childhood. I can remember exactly how it sounded to walk up the carpeted stairs of the house on Mountfort Court , the smell the damp basement, the taste of the menu offerings that were on offer ( usually the same on each visit but elevated just the same ). The sensory impressions of being at my grandparents house are as permanent and unmoving as being at my own childhood house .

Every August, we spent a week at my grandparents . It was a special week that was anticipated and very much looked forward to . We would venture into the district for a day out – Always on a very hot and very muggy day . Museums , picnics on the mall, a full, fun and exciting day for any kid . Outside dinners on the wooden tables in the back yard, cicadas chirping . Sometimes a trip over to get ice cream from Baskin Robbin’s. Grocery trips to the Giant with grandma – who was definition of home economist. She brought a list and kept to the items on the list . Thoughtful about what to make and serve for lunch and dinner .

Grandma and grandma were at every major event of my life and for all the time in between those ,there were phone calls, Letters and later, emails Grandma was always there, remembering my friends names and asking about the details of my life . Encouraging me and endlessly interested in the goings on of my teenage life .

Time went on .

I started the drive from North Carolina to Vienna as a young newly married adult while my husband Steve was in grad school. Sometimes I would bring our yellow lab Moose along for the ride . I brought our first daughter Georgia when she was 2 months old . Grandma said “ she is just terrific , Rie Rie”.

3 more children followed , along with several more moves . We got to live in Belgium and I would walk along Avenue Louise in Brussels and call Grandma and Grandpa and share with them my adventures and missteps of living abroad .

We had a lot of things in common, actually, grandma and I . We both loved to read and would always end of phone calls asking about what was next on our book list . Sometimes I wonder if our decision to go abroad was influenced by the family historical narrative of my grandparents wonderful experience in Australia. I have stayed home to raise our 4 children and grandma was a sympathetic ear to the ups and downs of this vocation .

Grandma was a steadfast supporter of my young life . Now I find myself entering middle life and I will miss her guiding firm presence .

She was an excellent listener in a world of many talkers . She made the every day special by paying attention . She delighted in looking out the window, the change of seasons , going for a walk .

I hope I can be like her . I love you Grammy.