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Our beloved, Patricia McCracken Sommers, peacefully made way to her Eternal home surrounded by her three loving daughters on April 3, 2023. Patsy, Pat, Mom, Granny, Great Granny, used interchangeably, but all-encompassing the wonderful path of her 89-year legacy.

Patsy was born in Washington DC on March 4, 1934to Harry Stearns and Alice McCracken Sommers who shortly after moved their family to Sommers Time Farm in Paeonian Springs. Patsy was the oldest sibling of Harry Sommers, Jr (Bonnie), Alice Slater (Bob) and Mary Virginia Sommers (George) who preceded her in death. The foundation of a strong family was the most valuable crop grown on that farm and the seeds sown from those early days have reaped benefits into five generations thus far.

Patsy graduated from Leesburg High in 1952 and tested the waters at James Madison but ultimately decided to take another route that fit better. She held several types of employment over the years, many of which she balanced while raising her children.  From Loudoun Valley High School guidance secretary, providing clerical support to the Town of Leesburg Police Department prior to becoming a Metro Washington Airport Authority Police Officer transitioning until retirement to Terminal Agent always stationed at  Dulles International Airport.

Pat's most notable accomplishment was being a devoted, strong, and loving mother of four children. Three daughters, Elizabeth Beavers (Norris), Teresa Lickey (Stanley Jr.), Patricia Swetnam (Steve). Much to Pat's heartbreak, her oldest child and only son H. Dennis "Bippy" Branan Jr. (BJ), preceded her in death, passing in 2019.

Granny was so proud of her grandchildren William Beavers (Liz), Benton Beavers (Meghan), Amanda Lickey Six (Greg), Jason Branan, Madeline Lickey Bennett (Bradley), Jefferson Beavers, Mercer Stearns Swetnam. Granny took each of her grandchildren on a special trip to celebrate their 10 ^th birthday and always had a special toy to help with the wiggles at a Christmas dinner table. Beach trips, soccer, hockey and baseball games, 4H Fair, triathlons and cross country meets, singing contests, honors induction ceremonies, marching band events, beauty pageants, graduations – you name it Granny was there.  Each grandchild now has a Christmas tree adorned with her love as she gave us ornaments, dated with the year signed, Love Granny.

The fifth generation brought Pat, possibly the most joy, she beamed with pride, laughter, and love regarding her 11 great grandchildren. Ranging from 17 to 4 years old each precious child has special memories of their Great Granny to treasure for a lifetime to come.

After retirement she stocked the shelves and helped meet the hunger needs of local families by volunteering many hours at Loudoun Interfaith Relief. Pat was part of Red Hat Ladies Club and was very proud to work with the Ladies Board of Loudoun Hospital. You could find Pat working at Twice As Nice with the "Back Room Crew" and working with the Lights of Love committee.

Pat was the matriarch of the wonderful Sommers family and instilled that you don't always have to agree, but you continue to love and support each other the best you can.  She loved family get-togethers, even though crowded and chaotic at times, being together was her priority. A steadfast mother, sister, friend, and confidant who could always be counted on for love, an ear, and guidance.

Her secret to a long life was to keep it moving. For many years, you'd find Pat at Ida Lee Park in the pool doing water aerobics each morning. She kept her mind sharp by constantly reading, a love that she passed on to her daughters, and playing cards; quite the shark at that.

Pat loved to travel.  Some of her favorite young memories were traveling on the train alone, visiting family in New York and Chicago.  The amazing trip to Germany she won at work, and it brought her great joy that Tricia and Steve were able to tag along! Without a doubt her favorite place was the beach.  That is where she had the most peace. She loved to float in the water like she was sitting in a chair, loving coining the "Granny Float" and sitting at the water's edge reading a book or just taking in her love of the ocean.

She was loved by so many, it seems like she never met a stranger.  Over the years she transformed from Patsy to Pat to just Granny to so many, all of whom loved her greatly and will miss her deeply. - John 14:27

Memorial Service will be held May 6, 2023, at Colonial Funeral Home, Leesburg VA

Visitation: 10:00am-11:00am

Service: 11:00am

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

The Ladies Board of Inova Loudoun Hospital

PO Box 6114

Leesburg VA 20178

Network for Endangered Sea Turtles
P.O. Box 1073
Kitty Hawk, NC 27949