Patricia Cowan Woodings died Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, after a brief illness. She was 89.
Born as Patricia Ann Cowan in Pittsburgh, PA, she grew up in Oakmont, Verona, and Penn Hills.  She graduated from Penn Hills High School where she met her future husband, Samuel Woodings.
Pat initially attended Westminster College, but transferred to the University of Pittsburgh. She graduated with a business education degree which she put to use as a high school teacher.

In July 1957, Pat married Sam Woodings.  Several years later they moved to Idar-Oberstein, Germany and Washington, D.C. while Sam served as a doctor in the U.S. Army.

The family moved to the Shenango Valley in 1963 and Pat immersed herself in the community.  Along with working and raising an active family, she began volunteering for a wide variety of community initiatives -- a practice she continued (and into which she dragged many a friend and daughter) throughout her life.

In 2001, Pat was recognized as a Buhl Day Honoree for her community involvement. When asked why she involved herself in so many varying community efforts, some of which were new to her and in many cases involved individuals with whom she had nothing in common, she replied "That's why I go.  I seek out, without intentionally realizing it, people who are interesting and stimulating."

Pat's desire to expand into new areas and experience new things led to her involvement as a board member or serving in other leadership positions with these and other groups: Mercer County Land Preservation Board, League of Women Voters (Mercer County and State level), Women's Interfaith Council of the Shenango Valley,  Life Long Learning Council of Sharon, Great Decisions Sunday School discussion leader, First Presbyterian Church Choir, Meals on Wheels, Transfer Area Farmers Club, Mercer County United Way Sharon and Sharon General Hospital Auxiliary.

Her desire to expand her experiences also involved travel.  A lot of travel.  She and Sam traveled throughout the U.S. and visited six of the seven continents.

She is survived by her husband of almost 67 years, Dr. Samuel George Woodings; her brother, James Cowan; her four daughters, Rebecca, Lisa, Catherine and Elizabeth; her son-in-law, Bruce Goodman; and her grandson, Phillip.  And let us not forget the three grand dogs: Reilly, Brooklyn, and Winifred.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to United Way of Mercer County, Buhl Park or a charity of your choice.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 25th, at First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St., Sharon. For those unable to attend in person, remote video access will be available via the church YouTube channel: @firstpresbyterianchurch1620. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.McGonigleFuneralHomeandCrematory.com.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.