Martha Howard Patten

Martha (Marty) Howard Patten, 71, of Williamsburg, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, October 12, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin Brown Howard, of Washington, NC, and Martha Jones Howard, of Belhaven, NC. Marty was married for over 49 years to the love of her life, Donald N. Patten, who survives her. Marty and Don enjoyed five decades of raising their family, playing golf together, traveling all over the world having adventures, cheering on the UVA Wahoos, through thick and thin, and spending time with their five grandchildren.

Marty grew up in Scarsdale, NY, and spent summers with her family in Belhaven, NC. She graduated from The Knox School in Long Island, NY, before attending Mary Baldwin College where she graduated in 1968. She met her future husband Donald N. Patten, then a law student at University of Virginia in 1967, and they were married on June 21, 1968. They lived together in Newport News, VA, for over thirty years until they moved to Williamsburg in 2002.

Marty’s primary focus in life was her family. She was devoted to her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she cherished being actively involved in their lives. Her enthusiasm and positive outlook on life was infectious, and her courage during the difficult days of her last illness was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Marty served as a deacon for many years at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church and was dedicated to many causes in the community. She was a charter member of the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Williamsburg, who served on their board and helped put on their Teddy Bear Tea each year. She also loved being a part of the Junior League of Hampton Roads, the Kingsmill nine hole golf association, several bible study groups and the Huntington Garden Club, where she was a member for 39 years and served for two years as president. Marty spent years applying her love of art and history as a Docent in Colonial Williamsburg. She had a passion for gardening and a love for the birds that were attracted to her garden.

In addition to her husband, also left to cherish Marty’s memory are her daughter and son-in-law, Brooks and Mike McElwain, and their children, Samantha Martha and Walker McElwain, of Alexandria, VA; as well as her son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Stacy Patten, and their children, Carter, William, and Zachary Patten, of Williamsburg, VA. She is also survived by her brother Edwin B Howard Jr. and his wife Alice of Scarsdale, NY, and her nieces and nephews, Hunter Howard, Heather Howard, and Hilary Howard Heieck and their families.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Marty’s name to the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary of Williamsburg or the American Cancer Society. Following a private burial, a service celebrating Marty’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church at 11:00 am. The family will receive visitors at Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg from 5:30 to 7:30 pm on Monday, October 16, 2017.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful love, support, and prayers from all of Marty’s family, friends, and her doctors and nurses during the last several months of her life, and in particular, the compassion and kindness of Dr. John Q. A. Mattern II.

Arrangements under the direction of Nelsen Williamsburg, Williamsburg, VA.