Obituary of Patricia Joan Leathwood

Patricia Joan Leathwood, a 46-year resident of Reston, Virginia passed away on Friday, February 5, 2010 at Reston Hospital. She succumbed to the affects of heart disease and complications of diabetes and infection. Born January 1, 1929 as the first baby of the New Year in Fort Madison, Iowa - she was the youngest of 3 girls born to the late Leona and Truman Raines. A voracious reader, she read every book in the Fort Madison public library and was a star of local stage productions, winning contests for her portrayals of Shirley Temple and Mae West. Patsy married William Leathwood of St Louis and moved to the Gateway City before settling in Reston to raise their family. As some of the first residents of the new town, Patricia and her family embraced the Live - Work - Play motto of Reston; working at various local businesses. Patricia was one of the founding members of the United Christian Parish (formerly Redeemer Methodist), The Reston Players, and of the "Q" club on Lake Ann Plaza. She made many friends through bridge clubs and water aerobics and frequented the Reston Farmers Market as well as the shops on Lake Ann Plaza where her presence will be sorely missed. Patricia loved animals and flowers, and waged a constant battle to save one from the other - her many feline friends loved to swat at her orchids and get stuck in her beautiful crabapple tree, while the deer and fox she loved to watch dined on the plants behind her home. Patricia also loved to cook, and experience new and exotic foods, a trait she passed on to her children and friends long before the "foodie" trend took hold. She is survived by her children, Stewart Leathwood of Falls Church, Bruce Leathwood of Arlington, and Heather Flynn of Reston and her grandchildren Ashley, Morgan and William. Memorial services will be held on Friday February 19th at 2PM at the United Christian Parish on North Shore Drive in Reston. Patricia will be interred alongside her husband, a Korean War veteran who died in 1994, at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or Alley Cat Allies - Patricia was a long time supporter of these charitable organizations.