Obituary of Pamela Shippen Patterson Roach

Pamela Shippen Patterson Roach (Age 69) On Tuesday, January 22, 2013, of Arlington, Virginia, died peacefully at home in the company of her family after a long battle with lung cancer. Beloved wife of Captain J. Ashley Roach, JAGC, USN (ret.) for 47 years; sister of Elise and her husband William Gelpi-Toro of Bronxville, NY. Devoted mother of Elizabeth (Liz) and her husband Robert (Rob) Albro of Arlington, VA; Christina (Tina) and her husband Scott Presson of Silver Spring, MD; Ashley and his wife Marion (Mimi) Roach of Denver, CO. Loving grandmother of Jonas, Ezekiel (Zeke), and Madeline (Maddie) Albro of Arlington, VA, and Delaney and Eliza Roach of Denver, CO. She was a woman of strong character and will who took great pride in her family. She was much loved and will be sorely missed. Born May 3, 1943 in Philadelphia, PA, eldest daughter of George and Patty Patterson, third great granddaughter of Charles Willson Peale, she graduated from Springside School, Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia in 1961. Married in 1965, she and her husband toured the world, first as a U.S. Navy couple, second for the U.S. Department of State, and then in retirement. Pam received her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from George Washington University in 1983. After her children were grown, Pam spent many years volunteering for the Arlington Republican Women’ Club (President 2005 & 2006), Arlington County Republican Committee, American Association of University Women Arlington Branch, the Falls Church Episcopal, Travelers’ Aid National Airport, Arlington Cooperative, and the Women’s Committee of the National Symphony Orchestra. She was a member of The Colonial Dames of America, Chapter II, Philadelphia. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 1, 2013, at The Falls Church Episcopal, 115 East Fairfax Street, Falls Church, VA 22046. Visitation will begin at 1 pm in the parlor of Nicholson Hall, with a service to follow at 2 pm in the historic church. The family will receive guests after the service in the parish hall. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 10:00 am. Please arrive at Administration Building by 9:30. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to: Capital Caring Hospice Services of Arlington; American Institute for Cancer Research, or The Falls Church Episcopal .