Patricia (Pat) Watkins Blair passed away peacefully at home Sept. 2. Born Sarah Patricia Watkins March 18, 1922 in Alton, Illinois, Pat graduated as valedictorian from high school and from Shurtleff College in 1943. She then attended Wellesley College on scholarship, where she earned a Masters in Hygiene and Physical Education in 1945. From 1945 to 1948, she taught health and various sports at Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. On June 5, 1948, she married Charles L. Blair in Alton, and they settled in Little Silver. Pat taught first grade in the Little Silver school system in 1948-50 before resigning to start a family.
Pat was a member of the United Methodist Church of Red Bank where she sang in the choir for over 50 years and served in several positions on the board of trustees. She also was an active participant in the MCBC and UMW. She volunteered with many organizations, including F.I.S.H. and Big Sister, and was active in others, such as the Junior League, the Daughters of the American Revolution – where she served as a past president of the Monmouth County chapter – and the Eastern Star.
Pat greatly enjoyed being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Pat loved music. In addition to singing in the church choir, for many years she had season tickets to the New York Metropolitan Opera and to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, which she strongly supported. She played tennis into her 50s and then picked up golf. She loved to read, especially history, theology, mysteries and historical fiction, and devoted considerable time to researching family history and genealogy.
She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, Charles, and her sister Dorothy and brother Robert. She is survived by her sister Martha, four children, Charles L. and his former wife Judy, Sarah (Sallie) Blair Smith, William M. Blair and his wife Kirsten, and Thomas W. Blair and his wife Alma; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Blair, Lucy Moreland, Gregory Blair, Laney Smith, Patricia Blair, Anthony Blair and Katherine Blair; four great-grandchildren, Grey Blair, Finn Blair, Benjamin Blair and Oliver Blair; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
Visitation was held Sept. 12 at Thompson Memorial Home of Red Bank. A graveside service followed at Fair View Cemetery of Middletown.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra at njsymphony.org/support-your-njso or the Red Bank United Methodist Church choir at umcredbank.org.
The article originally appeared in the September 17 – 23, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
