Patricia Cameron died on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at Bradley House after a period of declining health. Pat was born in Seattle on January 10, 1927. At just 6 weeks of age, she was boarded onto the American Mail liner S.S. President Madison in the care of Mrs. Celia Dudley, a nurse who cared for Pat until they reached Shanghai, China where Pat’s adoptive parents were waiting for her. Her parents, Florence and Harry Cameron were in Shanghai where he worked as superintendent of the Amos Bird and Co. Pat’s given name was Margaret Ann but her parents changed it to Patricia because she arrived in China on March 18, the day after Saint Patrick’s Day. Pat, her mother and sister Barbara (also adopted) were evacuated to the United States at the start of the Second World War. Her father joined them four years later in San Diego, California. Pat had fond memories of her time in China but always considered herself a California girl, even after eventually living in Brattleboro for over 30 years. Pat worked in banking from the time she was in her teens until she took an early retirement. She lied about her age in order to get her first job, but since the war had forced many men to the cause overseas, her employer at the Southern California Bank (eventually Union Bank of California) overlooked her indiscretion. Over the years she managed branches of the bank and after retirement, maintained friendships with some of the women who worked for her then. Those women remember Pat as an excellent manager, mentor and friend. Pat met her lifelong friend and housemate Harriet Ives, who predeceased her in November, when they were both in their early twenties. They spent over seventy years together in California and Vermont. Although they had different interests, one thing they shared was a love of animals, particularly dogs. They raised and cared for many dogs over the years and often had multiple canine companions at a time. In addition to animals, Pat loved to knit and to needlepoint. She loved music and for many years sang soprano in the Brattleboro Community Chorus and at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church under the direction of her dear friend Susan Dedell. Pat was a dedicated letter writer and exchanged cards and letters with friends frequently. She appreciated the kindness of her friends and never missed an opportunity to send a thank you card or a note of condolence or encouragement when she saw the need. Pat was deeply religious and her faith was very important to her. She was a member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. Besides many friends in both Vermont and California, Pat leaves a cousin Joyce Rodenhiser and her husband Al, of Saugus, MA; Harriet’s niece Kathy Anjuhar and her husband Ed of California; and Harriet’s nephew Kenneth Ives of Oregon. A service honoring Pat’s life will be held at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church on Saturday July 9 at 10:00 AM. Any memorial donations in Pat’s memory may be made to: St Michael’s Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to The Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. And when you think of Pat, consider picking up a pen and writing a note to a friend.