Patricia Valentine (O'Dowd) Kister

Patricia (Pat) Valentine O’Dowd Kister, an Erie native, passed from this life on 2/25/2022.  Born on Valentine’s Day, she was the daughter of long-time Erie City policeman James O’Dowd and his wife Rose (Bennett) O’Dowd. Pat was a proud member of the Strong Vincent High School class of 1958.  On graduating she worked at Trask in Erie, then moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the government.  There she met her future husband, Bill.

Bill and Pat were married July 29, 1961 and spent the next two years living in Germany and traveling to many places in Europe.  Upon returning to the United States, they settled in Silver Spring, MD and started raising their family.  Pat graduated from Montgomery College with a Degree in Studio Art.  She volunteered at several places including her children’s schools and Strathmore Hall.  She was an avid bridge player and was lucky enough to establish a wide circle of life-long friends.  Pat enjoyed her grandchildren very much and was extremely excited and proud to have four grandchildren that lived close by.  She enjoyed preparing and serving Sunday dinners for the entire family.

Pat was preceded in death by her parents, James and Rose O’Dowd.  She is survived by her husband of 60 years, William E. Kister; her son William Kister, his spouse Jacqueline, and grandchildren Michael and Nicole, all of Olney, MD; her daughter Carolyn Simpkins, her spouse Richard, and grandchildren Maddie and Liza, all of Brookville, MD; and her brother James O’Dowd of San Jose, CA.

A funeral mass will be said for Patricia at 11:00 on Friday, March 4, at St. Patrick’s Church in Rockville, MD.  Interment will be at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Aspen Hill, MD, the following week.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.