Patricia Simons Dennis

Patricia Simons Dennis passed away peacefully on July 20, 2025 in Richmond, Virginia at the age of 78. She was originally from Strykersville, New York, near where she lived and worked most of her life. She spent the last 18 years in Richmond, Virginia, but maintained close ties to Western New York. She was the daughter of James and Martha Simons, and one of five sisters; Joanne Mackenna, Jane Ritter (deceased), Mary Simons (deceased), and Sheila Holmes. Her first husband, Albert Bigelow, and second husband, Michael Dennis both preceded her in death. She was the loving mother to four children, Martha Bigelow, Matthew (Tracey) Bigelow, Nathan Bigelow (Denise Strekal) and Mary Bigelow (David Kurzawa). She was the grandmother to Kathleen (Bigelow) Dalane and Kaitlyn Bigelow, Liam and Chloe Kurzawa and Claire Bigelow.

Pat’s friends and family will remember her expansive and exquisite flower gardens and later her greenhouse business, Beaver Meadowlands. Many of her best memories included working in the greenhouses with friends and family. Before Beaver Meadowlands, she was an obstetrics nurse for many years at Wyoming County Hospital, proudly helping to bring many babies into the world.

Pat was first and foremost grounded as a mother and a grandmother, taking on a supportive, teaching role in their lives and inspiring them to work hard, follow their dreams, and to be fearless in their aspirations. She enjoyed their successes and commiserated loyally, wisely, and always in solidarity with their struggles. Many basked in her unconditional positive regard.

Pat was a champion for women’s rights, maintained a sophisticated and far reaching reading list, was a stickler for the Latin names of plants, enjoyed art across many time periods, collected numerous antiques, stayed engaged with current events, and at the same time enjoyed time in her kitchen canning tomatoes and cooking for a crowd. Pat loved being physically active, logging countless miles walking Beaver Meadow Road, and ran a Richmond 10K race in 2009 as a proud accomplishment. She loved classical and contemporary music and a good crime series on TV. She also had many happy travel memories, often talking about her trip to California with her sisters, making her way through museums in Paris, New York, and Washington DC, driving around Sicily, and vacations in North Carolina and the Adirondacks.

Pat will be dearly missed, but her wisdom, generosity, and hospitality will live on through all who loved her.

Pat’s family would appreciate donations be made in her memory to the Grayson County Children’s Advocacy Center, where her daughter-in-law Denise Strekal has long worked to support families and improve the lives of children impacted by abuse and neglect.