Patricia Brewer Warren

Patricia “Patsy” Brewer Warren, wife of James Warren, passed away on March 5, 2024, following a long illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:30 AM, Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Church of the Nativity, 1061 Folly Road, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. Burial will be private. A Visitation with Patsy’s family will be held between 5:00 and 7:00 PM Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway.

The oldest child of Bill and Irene Brewer, Patsy was born in Charleston June 15, 1945 and had a wonderful childhood living in Avondale with her three younger siblings. Patsy attended Blessed Sacrament School, Bishop England High School (Salutatorian of the Class of 1963) and St. Francis Xavier Hospital School of Nursing (Class of 1966). Patsy was always proud of her parents’ determination and hard work as they built a life for their family, which included operating their well-known store in downtown Charleston, Brewers Paint Center, which continued carrying her family’s name even after its sale to the Cole brothers.

Following her graduation from St. Francis School of Nursing, Patsy began a successful four-decade career as a nurse. She worked first at St. Francis Hospital on Calhoun Street, and then with Drs. Rivers, Principe and Flowers, and then back at St. Francis Hospital both at the Calhoun Street and the West Ashley locations. Patsy was always well-respected by physicians and her fellow nurses. During her most recent hospital visit, a nurse recognized Patsy from when they worked together more than a decade ago and described her as the smartest nurse she had ever known.

Patsy and her husband Jimmy were married in 1968 and built their family home in Lighthouse Point on James Island, where they raised their two daughters, Deborah and Elizabeth. Patsy and Jimmy loved to share their dock with neighbors and friends for fishing, crabbing, boating, swimming, and the walk to the end of the dock offered a breathtaking view of Morris Island Lighthouse. Later in life, Patsy and Jimmy enjoyed exploring the East Coast both on the water in their beloved Cape Dory (aptly named Patsy’s Prayer due to Patsy’s critical role in bringing the boat into their lives) and on the road in their camper.

In addition to her husband, Patsy is survived by her children Deborah Gilbert and Elizabeth Cook (Jeremy);  siblings, Billy Brewer (Jan), Kathleen Brown (Jerry) and Greg Brewer (Cindy) and four grandchildren, Emily Cook, Eliza Cook, Anna Cook and Luke Gilbert. While Patsy didn’t live to see her first granddaughter get married, she was recently able to meet Emily’s fiancé, Ryan Amos.

Patsy was a committed member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in her early years and then of Church of the Nativity for her entire adult life.

Patsy was an accomplished seamstress, quilter and smocker and her incredible handiwork has been proudly worn by many children. She also ran a successful smocking business called GoldiSmocks for many years. Patsy was an active member of the Island Quilters and the Smocking Arts Guild of America (SAGA) through which she made many friends, enjoyed great fellowship and shared her talents over the years, including at the Sewing at the Beach trips to Camp St. Christopher and Myrtle Beach (where they often never actually made it to the beach because they were so busy working on their latest projects).

Patsy was also known for her handmade bread, which was her signature gift for friends and family. If you opened a package from her and saw an oblong shape wrapped in foil, you would immediately smile.

Patsy always persevered and kept moving forward, whether it was dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo or the uncertainties and fears surrounding her breast cancer and dementia diagnoses. While dementia caused Patsy to lose nearly all of her ability to communicate verbally, she never lost her strength of character, her determination and her ability to find pleasure in small things, such as playing with her American Girl Dolls. Two days before she entered the hospital for the last time, she walked to a quilt show at the Franke Home and carefully studied each quilt’s colors and design.

Patsy held many titles in life, but perhaps none was more significant to her than that of grandmother. Her grandchildren called her Nanny, a name selected by her oldest grandchild, Emily (now a nurse herself). Nanny hosted camp for her grandchildren in the summer, picked them up after school for one-on-one dates, and joined them on family trips to New York City, Chicago and Harmon Lodge in the mountains of North Carolina.

The family wishes to extend its incredible appreciation for the love and devotion shown to Patsy by her faithful friend, Debbie Walker, her caregivers including Beverly, Angie and Shirley and the teams at Atria, Franke Home, Home Instead and Roper-St. Francis, during her long journey with dementia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Roper-St. Francis Foundation, 100 Calhoun Street, Suite 210, Charleston, South Carolina 29403.

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.