Patricia Chaplin Ormsby

Patricia Ormsby, 97, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2021 after a period of failing health.

Patricia was born in the West Ham section of London, England in 1923, the youngest of five children born to the late George and Penelope Chaplin.

Her college studies came to an end due to World War II and she married James Ormsby in 1943 while he was serving in the British Royal Navy for the duration of the war. Patricia immigrated with two young children to the U.S., arriving by boat in New York City in 1954, where she joined her husband. They settled in Philadelphia, PA, and for the next 30 years, raised three children and managed two apartment complexes together. In 1984, Patricia and James retired to the mountains of WNC, where she lovingly tended to her passion of flower gardening at their house in Fairview.

In addition to her parents, Patricia was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, James. She is survived by her daughter, Hilary Brinker of Henderson, NV; two sons, Michael Ormsby of Salt Lake City, UT and David Ormsby of Arden; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank caregivers, Sonja Allen of Candler, NC and Denise Liberatori of Black Mountain, NC for devotedly taking care of Patricia in her last few years of life.

No services are planned, but memorial donations in Patricia’s name may be made to the WNC Bridge Foundation (formerly known as the CarePartners Foundation), PO Box 1315, Arden, NC 28704.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.