Pattie Domingus Sewell

After marrying and graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in English, Pattie worked as an editor at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She continued to work after her children were born, commuting an hour from Baltimore, where her husband, John Sewell, attended medical school. After the family moved to Dover, she became a freelance writer, regularly writing features and humor pieces for a Delaware newspaper and magazine. Laughing while reading some of her old articles recently, she said, “I didn’t realize I was so funny!”

When her marriage ended in 1998, Pattie moved to Richmond, Virginia, to attend Union Presbyterian Seminary and begin yet another career. She received her Master of Divinity degree in 2002 at the age of 62 and relocated to Roanoke, Virginia, where she was installed as the first woman minister at Green Ridge Presbyterian Church.

Pattie had an abundance of compassion, which led to her long history of involvement in various volunteer activities and organizations throughout her life. After retiring from the ministry and settling in Richmond to be near her children, she enjoyed tutoring at an elementary school in the city in addition to other activities through First Presbyterian Church. Pattie never stopped helping to meet the needs of others.

Pattie was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Naomi Domingus; brother, Charles L. Domingus; and brother-in-law, Karl W. Sanger. She is survived by her son, Richard H. Sewell (Julie Munzinger); daughter, Carole S. Brannon (Steve); sister, Betty D. Sanger; sister-in-law, Janet R. Domingus; nieces Karen Hauser (Paul), Brenda Stevens (Olin), and Cheri Rogers (Scott); nephews Jeff Domingus (Denise), Ken Sanger (Rachel), Jim McNinch (Sherry), and Paul McNinch (Ann); numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; and many lifelong friends, whom she loved dearly. Memorial service will be held July 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Dover, 54 S. State Street. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your favorite charity.