Patricia Jennings Obituary
Patricia Ann Duckworth Jennings
Pat Jennings, 54, of Charlotte, NC died Sunday, July 11, 2010 from complications of esophageal cancer. Pat was born on April 23, 1956 and adopted as an infant by James Jennings Duckworth and Marie Hawkins Duckworth of Charlotte, NC. She had an adopted brother, Michael Jennings Duckworth. After Marie's death, her father married Greta Rhudy when Pat was three and Mike was five. Greta was a wonderful mother and Pat loved her dearly.
Pat graduated from Myers Park High School in 1974 and completed the Horsemasters Certificate for riding instruction at Potomac Riding School. She started her career in Pinehurst, NC and became an accomplished equestrian, instructor and trainer. An avid reader, she loved the time she worked at The Intimate Bookshop in Charlotte. She worked in communication and publication design for Charlotte Weekly Newspapers and was a successful account executive for Washburn Graphics in the early 80's. From 1984-95 she and her husband owned Rolling Meadows Farm in Matthews, NC. In addition to boarding horses and providing instruction, she hosted an annual series of shows and served on the board of directors of the NC Dressage & Combined Training Association.
In 1999, Pat moved home to care for her mother until Greta's death in 2002. Like her mother, she was a good cook and hostess and loved to feed people. She had a beautiful vegetable garden and a freezer full of produce. The night before she died she'd picked all the baby limas and a basket full of tomatoes. She was working on a cookbook of her soups.Pat loved animals and always had a number of pets - rescued dogs, horses, barn cats, birds, even a pet house mouse, Mr. Jingles, about whom she'd written a children's story. Seeing this petite woman with the large Great Danes she once owned and bred was a memorable sight.
In the last few years she was enjoying fixing up her family home, developing her writing skills, and working toward a new career. Pat was attentive, creative, and big-hearted, feminine, meticulous and tenacious. She will be remembered fondly.
Pat was predeceased by her parents and brother. She is survived by her aunt Vera Rhudy Phipps; first cousins and their families - Joe Duckworth, Bill Duckworth, Larry Duckworth, Jimmy Duckworth, Jan Duckworth Yandle, Steve Hope, Chip Hope, Joan Hope, Skip Palmer; and her beloved pets - parrot Katie Bird, and dogs Mandy, Maggie, Harvey and Sarah.
A memorial service will be held Friday, July 16 at 11 am in the Chapel at St. John's Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC with The Reverend Martha Kearse officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parlor one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Thompson Child & Family Focus, 6800 St. Peter's Lane, Matthews, NC 28105, www.thmpsoncff.org or the Humane Society of Charlotte, 2700 Toomey Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203, www.humanesocietyofcharlotte.org.
The family is in the care of Heritage Funeral Home/Ballantyne Chapel.
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Published by Charlotte Observer from Jul. 14 to Jul. 15, 2010. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/charlotte/name/patricia-jennings-obituary?id=12748882
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