Obituary of Patricia M. Smylie

Patricia Marie “Patti” Smylie of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and formerly of Sterling, Virginia left us much too soon on August 18, 2016 after battling cancer for almost exactly one year. A lover of sunsets, margaritas, dogs, classic disco and grandchildren, she retired in 2011 from a life of service with the Fairfax County Police Department where she began in 1978 as a dispatcher. She later moved to secretarial positions where she experienced the transition from typewriters and carbon paper through word processors and then on to desk-top computers and cell phones. Her last position was administrative assistant to the Chief of Police. In her “retirement” she volunteered her time in all types of ways at the Sterling United Methodist Church and enjoyed spoiling her grandsons. Her husband Steve joined her in retirement in July, 2015 and they moved to Kitty Hawk to begin their new lives on their beloved Outer Banks. Patti was born in Salina, Kansas to Ken and Vivian Penton but while still very young her military father was assigned a post in London. She returned to the U.S with a British accent which fortunately faded. She did most of her growing up in McLean, Virginia and is a 1975 graduate of Langley High School. Patti is survived by her husband of 34 years, Steve, her younger sister Pam her two sons Chris and Joey and Joey's wife Amanda, her daughter Stephanie, as well as three grandsons, Finn, Eli and Carson. She is also survived by the most recent of her rescue dogs, Charlie Girl. Her friends and family will miss her warm smiles, her ability to listen, her apple pies, her hugs, and her sense of humor. A viewing and visitation will be on Wednesday, August 24 from 5pm to 8pm at Adams Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden St Herndon, Virginia. A memorial service will be held at 11am on Thursday, August 25, 2016 at the Sterling United Methodist Church, 304 E Church Rd. Sterling, Virginia. A reception will follow at the church. The family asks that contributions in her honor be made to the Sterling United Methodist Church, The Kidney Cancer Association, or Operation Paws for Homes animal rescue.