Mrs Patricia Hamersly Church

Patricia Hamersly Church, beloved wife of the late Thomas A. Church; loving matriarch and homemaker for their three children, eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren; accomplished pianist and music teacher; and cherished friend and neighbor to many, departed peacefully on March 16, 2025 surrounded by family in the comfort of her longtime Anneslie home, just days shy of her 92nd birthday. Patricia lived an extraordinary life defined in part by her incredible kindness and humility, positive and sunny disposition, steadfast loyalty to family and friends, and fierce devotion to her Orioles, Ravens and Terps! Born in Baltimore in 1933 to Walter and Caroline Hamersly, Patty’s first home was on the corner of Roslyn and Bateman Avenues. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood on the “west side”, and fondly remembered Saturday downtown excursions to Hutzler’s and Stewart’s on Howard Street and afternoon matinees at the Forrest Theater. Walter’s career with the Norfolk & Western afforded the young family many trips by rail to visit family and friends around the country, even a transcontinental train trip to California in 1939. Patricia loved to recount their overnight steamboat trips down the Bay to see relatives in Norfolk. From the start, music was central to Patricia’s life. Beginning piano lessons at the age of five, Patty committed in a 4th grade essay to a future in music and never veered from her goal! Music instruction at Peabody, Western High and ultimately a music degree from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel) prepared Patricia for a lifetime of introducing young people to the joys of music. She began teaching at Roland Park, before attracting a collection of budding young pianists who sought private lessons from a gentle and encouraging teacher like Patricia. She was for years the youth choir director at First & St. Stephens church, as well as band leader for Pat Church & the Pews, which brought down the house at the annual variety shows at Stoneleigh Elementary and Towson High. Patty’s early education at Garrison grade and middle schools and her church youth group at Starr Church introduced her to friendships she would enjoy for life. It’s also where, at the age of 14, she met Tommy Church, a recent arrival in Baltimore from his hometown of Green Bay. Who would imagine that Patty and Tommy’s relationship would flourish for 72 years including 62 years of blessed marriage. In the 1950’s, Patty headed to Westminster for college while Tom enlisted in the Marines and deployed to Korea. Absence made their hearts grow fonder, resulting in a joyous wedding in 1957 at Northwood Appold Methodist. Early careers in music (hers) and engineering (his) were eventually followed by the celebrated arrival of daughters Kathie and Joyce and a son John. In 1966, Patricia and Tom purchased their first and only home on Dunkirk Road in Anneslie, which proved to be the perfect setting to raise three children and build a home of traditions that would endure the years. Patricia led Girl Scout troops, prepared holiday meals, hosted Easter egg hunts and tended to countless dogs, birds, reptiles, fish and other animals her husband or children brought home. However, Christmas was her specialty, highlighted by her annual music-infused Christmas Eve party that typically peaked with a raucous round robin of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Patricia, or Nanny, embraced grandmotherhood with zeal. She built a special bond with each of her eleven “darlings”, reveled in their every adventure and encouraged each to chart their own course. When the greats arrived, she marveled at the miracle of four generations. “Enjoy life,” she would implore, “This is not a dress rehearsal!” With deep pride in and devotion to her hometown of Baltimore, Patricia welcomed the year’s seasons with gusto. Spring brought Opening Day, yard clean-up with Maxalea’s, visits to Sherwood Gardens and lacrosse games; summer offered outings to Dewey Beach and Deep Creek, and greeting neighbors from her Dunkirk porch; autumn was accompanied by weekend excursions to Easton and handing out treats on Halloween; and of course December was the time for concerts at the Cathedral, the train garden and Christmas cheer. Patricia will be forever remembered for her radiant smile and contagious laugh, unwavering faith in God, and her insistence on prioritizing others ahead of herself. She cultivated relationships with young and old (some lasting 85 years!) built on her genuine interest in others; she was a gifted listener who perfected the art of conversation. Life would be far less fun without Patricia’s glorious singalongs, heartfelt blessings, amazing sugar cookies and Baltimore’s best crab cakes, and the legacy of each will survive her long into the future. Though her body is now at rest, together again with her soulmate Thomas, her beauty and spirit remain as vibrant as ever and will live eternally in the hearts of those blessed by her presence. Patricia is preceded in death by parents Walter and Caroline Hamersly [do we reuse last name?] and beloved husband Thomas [Do we need use his full name?], and is survived by children Kathleen Weidner (Steven), Joyce Webster (Henry) and John Church (Kimberly); eleven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend a special gratitude to the Home Comfort Care teams of Gilchrist and Home Instead, whose loving care allowed Patricia to remain in her Anneslie home, a place that she cherished. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Patricia Hamersly Church on March 16, 2025.Patricia, beloved wife of the late Thomas A. Church; loving mother of Kathleen C. Weidner (Steven), Joyce Ann Webster (Henry) and John H. Church (Kimberly). Patricia departed peacefully in the presence of her adoring family and in the comfort of her long time Anneslie home, just days shy of her 92nd birthday.Her lasting legacy of love and kindness will be forever remembered by her three children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. A celebration of Patricia's extraordinary life will be private.In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Gilchrist Hospice.

Mrs Patricia Hamersly Church

March 27, 1933 - March 16, 2025