PATRICIA BURKHART SMITH

1949-2021

Our dear sweet Patricia “Pat” or “PB” Carter Burkhart Smith, 72, of Ferndale, Washington, passed away gracefully and peacefully on Monday, August 23, 2021. She was born in Houston, Texas to Hugh Reginald Burkhart and Ruby Nell “Nelson” Ivey. Pat spent most of her life in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Pat is survived by her siblings, Carol Stallings Edinger (Patrick) of Solana Beach, California, Debi Burkhart Luetzelschwab (Earl) of Bloomington, Indiana, and her sister in law, Lynn Izard Burkhart of Marietta, Georgia, as well as her two cherished children: Meghan Smith (Sampo Vesa) of Helsinki, Finland, and Carter Smith (Michelle) of Victoria, Canada, and her grandson, the apple of her eye, Archer, 3. In addition, Pat is survived by several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousin Mary Ann Chambers. Pat is predeceased by younger brother Garry Burkhart and her beloved Aunt Sissy Chambers.

Pat was a National Merit Scholar, and graduated from Ben Franklin High School in New Orleans in 1967, and studied Fashion Design and English, earning a BFA from Washington University in St. Louis. Pat was highly talented and creative, whether she was designing clothing, jewelry, stained glass, writing or producing content for screenplays, books, film, or news media as well as being a book editor and coach. Pat was an award winning journalist and medical reporter and freelance writer, author and editor. She spoke Italian fluently, and loved languages, and enjoyed gardening, films, rockhounding and gourmet food, and her many, many friends. Pat had a gentle heart and an irrepressible sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Due to the pandemic situation, a memorial service and celebration of Pat’s life will be held at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Pat’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, an organization she supported after losing loved ones to this disease.

Please visit Jernsfh.com to sign the book of memories and leave your condolences for the family.