Pansy Morton Howard
August 8, 1925 ~ February 28, 2023
Pansy Fern Morton Howard, 97, died peacefully at Tall Oaks Assisted Living in Reston, Virginia, on February 28, 2023. A long-time resident of Vienna, Virginia, Pat, as she was known by all her friends and family, applied her keen intelligence, sharp sense of humor, and passion for excellence to all she did. This included work early in life and again after her children had left home as an educator, volunteering in various church communities over the years, decades of hand-crafted Halloween costumes and clothing sewn for her five children (and sometimes their dolls), her delicious pies, cakes, cookies, and Christmas fudge, and her world-class accomplishments as a crossword puzzler. Throughout her life, Pat was devoted to her family and to her Christian faith.
Pat is predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill, and daughter Megan, as well as her sisters Irene Jones, Virginia Barber, and June Perry, and her brother, Dudley Morton.
She is survived by her daughters Elena (Mark Day) and Elise (Leo Chapman) and her sons Bill (Beth Burns) and Jonathan (Christi), who will remember her for many things, but most of all for her daily expressions of love and outpouring of affection. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Ashleigh Howard (Omar Farooq) and children Reza, Zara, and one to come; Emily Mantovani (Kevin) and children Santina, Annunzio, and Ciro; Ben Howard (Mandy) and son Bo; Tristan Chapman; John Cox (Nikki); Perry Cox (Kelli) and son Jameson; Jed Fretts Howard, Olive Fretts Howard; and Claire and Grace Howard; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to Pat’s Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Monday, March 6 from 10 until the time of service at 11am. Interment to follow at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Donations in Pat’s memory can be made to:
http://www.christianapp.org
EIN: 61-0661137 CFC Number: 11102
Pat is predeceased by her beloved husband, Bill, and daughter Megan, as well as her sisters Irene Jones, Virginia Barber, and June Perry, and her brother, Dudley Morton.
She is survived by her daughters Elena (Mark Day) and Elise (Leo Chapman) and her sons Bill (Beth Burns) and Jonathan (Christi), who will remember her for many things, but most of all for her daily expressions of love and outpouring of affection. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: Ashleigh Howard (Omar Farooq) and children Reza, Zara, and one to come; Emily Mantovani (Kevin) and children Santina, Annunzio, and Ciro; Ben Howard (Mandy) and son Bo; Tristan Chapman; John Cox (Nikki); Perry Cox (Kelli) and son Jameson; Jed Fretts Howard, Olive Fretts Howard; and Claire and Grace Howard; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to Pat’s Life Celebration at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA on Monday, March 6 from 10 until the time of service at 11am. Interment to follow at Chestnut Grove Cemetery.
Donations in Pat’s memory can be made to:
http://www.christianapp.org
EIN: 61-0661137 CFC Number: 11102
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So sorry for your loss. As a great- nephew, I saw her a limited number of times in my adult life but I was always struck by how warm, smart, and funny she was. Even in a casual conversation about whatever, I remember being surprised about how she analyzed it. And then made a funny comment about it. And her faith was so obviously based in love. She was a radiant soul and a great joy to be around. All our love. Craig Paulette, grandson of Juanita Irene
Craig, Thank you so much. It sounds like you got a good sense of my mom during your visits. She loved her sister Irene and all of her nieces and nephews. I am so glad that you got to know her for a time. Elena
Aunt Pat shared a favorite memory with me many times. It was a favorite memory of hers with me as a toddler. As she scrubbed my dirty elbows a bit vigorously-(her words), I looked up at her and said “I love you Sern”! Even as a youngster, I knew what a kind, caring and loving person she was. Her visits always made me happy ! She was fun and I loved to hear her laugh! Aunt Pat was a true blessing in my life and in the lives of all of our family. We will always have our wonderful memories of Aunt Pat!
Barb,
My mom loved to laugh and cherished her sisters and your dad, too. She also thought the world of her nieces and nephews. Most of our family vacations over the years were back to Ohio or Kentucky so that she could see family and spend time together. These visits were filled with laughter and wonderful pies and cobblers. I am so glad that your memories of your Aunt Pat are wonderful.
Elena
To the Family of Pat Howard:
I was so sorry to hear of Pat’s transition, but I rejoice and do believe that she is in heaven now with the Lord and Bill. Pat was cherished and love very much by the Cunningham Park Elementary School Faculty, Staff and students . For at least two decades, she was my substitute in my First Grade Class. I could call her on short notice or ask her weeks in advance to sub for me. I knew my students would be taught, cared for and loved ( just as though I were in my class). She loved children and always brought her warm demeanor and motherly expertise into my class.
Hold on to all those precious memories of dear Pat, you will see her again in eternity. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of bereavement. I’m praying that God will keep and comfort you all.
Warm Regards,
Sharon K. Gregg
Retired Educator
Cunningham Park Elementary
Mrs. Gregg, Thank you so much for remembering my mom with your words. She adored teaching your students and loved the opportunity to work with you and to support you over the years. She felt a connection with children and loved to see them thrive, whether they were her own or belonged to someone else.
Pat is my sister in Christ. She was always so happy to work and help in Church. We share some of the same ideas about how to dress for Church.. she was always proper but could speak her mind.
Never forget how she used to complement my granddaughters hats. Always had something nice to say.
Pat is (was) a Good Servant of the Lord .
Thank you Pat for all those years of friendship.
You are in Gods. Grace , embracing you and surrounded by the faithful husband, family and friends.
Love, Idith
My mom spoke very highly of you, too. She loved her church friends and mentioned you frequently in my phone calls and visits with her over the years.
She was my Dear Aunt Pat. While I’ll forever be remiss for my lack of communication with her, she was, and will always be, my Dear Aunt Pat. My loving, caring, sensitive, interested, humorous, smart, and forever forgiving, Aunt Pat. And she balanced a more than determined Morton and Day attitude with calmness, class and humbleness for all she achieved with her talents and skills. As did my mother, her sister, and her other sisters and brother. And there was always the presence of faith instilled in them by their mother, Sophia. Their faith was the “rock” on which they stood through many challenging times during a very stark beginning. I loved my Aunt Pat.
I send my heartfelt condolences to my cousins and all of Aunt Pat and Uncle Bills’s families. May God Bless and comfort you at this time and always.
With much love and prayers,
“Sammy” Barber
Sam – We are so glad that you have such great memories of our mom. It is nice to see her through another family member’s eyes. We miss all the Morton girls!
Pat was a sweet, warm person; always gracious, kind and gentle. She had a great sense of humor that was subtle and as gentle as she was. I knew her when we served at Epiphany UMC. When I was asked to lead the United Methodist Women, I asked Pat to serve as my Vice President and she heartily agreed.
She traveled with David, LaFaun (from Epiphany) and I to Greece.
She was a great witness to her Faith.
Love you, Pat.
Sunita Lough
Thank you Sunita. That trip to Greece was very special to my mom. I am so glad that you knew her as a person outside of church as well as a faithful follower of Christ. I know that she is home with Him now.
Every time I saw Pat from a distance or when when we got together in church and her home for a visit and chat, I always left deeply inspired by her loving, gentle and joyous spirit. I can still hear her quiet lilting laugh and see her wonderful smile which often appeared during our conversations. Pat was so supportive of and loved her Epiphany Church dearly, and was a great friend to Sunita and me. She was such a blessing to all who crossed her path and she will be sorely missed by her family and friends. Pat leaves behind a wonderful legacy and the world is a much better place wherever she happened to be present. I send my deepest love and blessing to Pat’s family and friends. God be with you. Yours in Christ. Dave Lough
Thank you for your kind remembrance of our mom.