Loving wife, mother and grandmother
Patricia Ann Atherton – 72 – of South Street, Belfast, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at the Hart Comfort House of Allegany County on Friday, October 20, 2023
Born in Cuba, NY on January 20, 1951, she was the daughter of Douglas and Peggy Davenport. Many people do not know that Patricia was a twin. Her twin sister (Pamela) died at birth. Patricia and Pamela were the only two born in the United States, the rest of her immediate family immigrating to the United States from England, aboard the Queen Elizabeth.
A life-long resident of Belfast, Patricia was a graduate of Belfast Central School, class of 1969. From a young age, Patricia loved playing sports. In high school, she played soccer, basketball, softball, bowling, volleyball and cheerleading. She was said to “run like a deer!” She was also a member of the touring choir and high school choir. Patricia was described as a “wild child” by her high school friends and could often be found partying at the Cuba Lake Pavillion or being a flag girl for back road drag races.
Following high school graduation, on August 23, 1969, Patricia was married to Kenneth Atherton, who survives. In 1974, they purchased their family home in Belfast, New York, where they raised their 2 daughters.
Patricia held a variety of jobs through the years including working at Motorola and the Turfside Restaurant. For many years, Patricia worked at the Belfast Hotel as a cook, waitress and bartender. However, the job she was most proud of was that of housewife, mother, and grandmother. She loved to spend time in the kitchen, cooking and baking for her family. Patricia loved watching football and was a huge San Francisco 49’ers fan! She was Joe Montana’s biggest fan!!! She also enjoyed NASCAR. One of her fondest memories was the NASCAR racing experience at the Daytona International Speedway. As in high school, Patricia remained active in many sports. She played softball on the women’s town team, coached by her husband. They never won anything, but she always had fun! She golfed for many years in women’s golf leagues and she and Ken also bowled for several years in women’s and men’s leagues. Later in life, Patricia enjoyed knitting and could often be found completing puzzles while watching true crime shows and Dr. Phil.
Patricia is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Kenneth Atherton, her 2 daughters, Tracy (Matthew) Graham and Terry (William) Baker, both of Hornell, NY, her 3 grandchildren, Kennedy Horaibi, Dominic Coddington, and Parker Graham, several cousins, including her special cousin Denise Davenport of Greensboro, North Carolina, several nieces and nephews, and her closest and dearest friend, Carolyn “Cis” Chalker of Belfast NY. “Patty” or “Pat” to her friends was known as “Nanny” to her grandchildren, the name she most cherished. Patricia devoted her life to her children, and later to her grandchildren. She loved to brag about her grandchildren to anyone that would listen. She adored them! She was a very proud Nanny!
In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her infant twin sister, Pamela Davenport in 1951 and her two brothers, Gary Davenport in 2005 and Brian Davenport in 2009.
Arrangements are under the direction of Chet Gosper of Brown & Powers Funeral Homes. At Patricia’s request, a private service for close friends and family will be held in Angelica, NY and a private burial will take place at a later date. The family will welcome friends to a celebration of life on Saturday, November 18th, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Belfast Town Hall.
Patricia’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to the Hart Comfort House of Allegany County, 141 E. State Street, Wellsville, New York 14895.
To send a remembrance please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com or on Facebook @ Brown & Powers Funeral Homes.
