Ms. Patricia "Fuzzy" Dowd, age 77, passed on to heaven peacefully in her sleep on the evening of Wednesday, March 15, 2023. She was born on April 25, 1945 in Morehead City, North Carolina to Herbert R. Kopke and Patricia Fanning. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Pat was born in Morehead City, North Carolina, but later moved to East Northport, New York, where she grew up.  During the 6 ^th grade she met a boy named Dan Dowd, and the two began a relationship that never ended.  Upon graduating from high school Pat earned an Associate's Degree at Suffolk Community College and a Bachelor's Degree from Mississippi University for Women.  She and Dan were married upon his college graduation, and after Dan's time in Vietnam they started the family that Pat always wanted.  Dan & Pat had four sons of their own and countless numbers of additional sons & daughters who simply felt like family in the welcoming home that Pat created.  Everyone knew her as "Mom", though she also went by "Aunt Fuzzy", "Grandma Fuzzy", and – to her siblings and friends – simply, "Fuzz".

Throughout her personal and professional life Pat embraced her faith, her family, her friends, and her love of children.  As a teacher, substitute teacher, and librarian, Pat made many kids feel special during her professional career.  Her personal life was no different, as she took joy in showering her own children and just about everyone else's children with love and affection.  Pat's sense of humor and humble ability to laugh at herself made her the type of person that everyone wanted to be around.  Her generous, caring nature was a wonderful example for her children and, eventually, her grandchildren.

Pat joins her father, Hubie, her mother, Patricia, and her brother, Rusty, in heaven.

She is survived by her husband, Dan, four sons (Dan, Adam, Chris, and Mike), two daughters-in-law (Caryn & Jamie), three grandchildren (Luke, Vivian, and Blake), two brothers (Dick & Randy), and two sisters (Nancy & Ellen).  Until we all meet again, we'll always be sure to "say please & thank you".

A local celebration of life is being planned by the family for a later date.