Patricia Ann (Pat) Ring Foss Cobb, age 84, of Claremont, NH, formerly of Westfield, MA, went to her eternal home in Heaven on Friday, January 10, 2020, at the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville, SC. Patricia was born on October 9, 1935 to her late parents Laurence F., Sr. and Luella W. (Abbott) Ring, of Westfield, MA.
Pat grew up in her loving family with 4 brothers and 2 sisters. They were very involved in the Methodist church, and enjoyed seeing grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and spending time with friends on Bates Street. Pat was always a good student and enjoyed high school. She spent all 4 years on the student council and served as student council president her senior year. She also spent all 4 years in the library club where her Aunt Jenny served as advisor. She has had a great love of reading her entire life. Someone on the yearbook staff penned this poem about Pat:
“Remember that there are none who’ve done as much as Pat has done!” This has proven true her whole life as she always works very hard and has taught her children to do likewise.
During her senior year and after graduation Pat served and worked in the Westfield State Sanatorium and Shurtleff Mission, and was involved in the Springfield District Older Youth at church. She really enjoyed spending time at Laurel Park Cottages and campground and enjoyed taking her children back to visit.
On December 31, 1956, Patricia and Arthur went on a blind date. We heard many times that the following Sunday they were worshipping together with the Ring family and the following week with the Foss family. That continued every week until they married and went to their own church. Pat’s faith in Jesus Christ has always been very important to her and she has always been part of a local church. In November 1990, surrounded by their children, Patricia and Arthur were baptized at Grace River Church.
Patricia and Arthur married on May 23, 1959. During their marriage they enjoyed raising their children, fine dining, traveling and skiing. They were happily married until February 14, 1991 when Arthur died in a car accident. 15 years later Pat married a second time to Richard B Cobb on February 16, 2006. They were happily married until Richard died on November 21, 2011. Patricia and Richard really enjoyed eating out, playing cribbage, gardening, feeding the deer, keeping up with family and friends and watching NE sports, especially the Red Sox.
Patricia worked over the years as a stay at home wife and mom, caregiver to adults and children, secretary, and office manager. She was employed by Communication Connection, Sullivan County Nursing Home and Stoughton House. She volunteered as homeroom parent, Cub Scout, Brownies, Boy Scout and Girl Scout den leader and taught Sunday school for many years.
Patricia is survived by her brothers Roger and David (Diane), and her sister in law Gloria (Robert). Along with her parents and husbands, she is predeceased by her brother Robert, sister Gertrude (Bob), brother Laurence, Jr. (Christine), and sister Susan (Lawrence). Patricia leaves behind her 5 children: Raymond (Ruth), Sandy (Peter), David (Kelly), Rebecca (Chris), and Matthew (Colette); 5 step children: Steven (Molly), Brian (Nancy), Debbie (Harvey), Sherri (David), Douglas (Rose); 15 grandchildren: Adam, Hannah, Luke, John (Crystal), Ryan, Alexa, Taryn, Gage, Brooke (Shayne), Taylor (Nate), Bryce, Cole, Erica, Shyanne (Jacob), and Shanequa; 11 step grandchildren: Elias, Nathaniel, Ellie, Darren, Alex, Martin, Brent, David, Kari Leigh, Danni, and Nicole; 3 great grandchildren: Jharin, Ollie, and Ava; and 8 step great grandchildren: Uriah, Soley, George, Kayleigh, Hayes, Rylie, Casper, Callie, and one more on the way. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family.
A Celebration of Life service will be held for Patricia at Grace River Church in Claremont, NH on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 11 am. A reception and time of sharing will follow.