IN MEMORY OF PAT MACHIR…
LOUISA, Ky. — Patricia Kay Machir, of Louisa, Ky., passed away Monday, January 10, 2022.
She was born December 8, 1943, a daughter of the late William Franklin and Violette Somerville Machir. Pat graduated from Point Pleasant High School and attended Huntington Junior College. She was retired from the Lawrence County Health Department where she was a smoking cessation counselor. Pat was recognized by the State of Kentucky for her work with the awareness of the dangers of tobacco and how important it was for her clients to understand the need for smoking cessation. Many who successfully completed the smoking cessation program would thank her for her help. She loved animals and had a great desire for rescuing them. She was a member of Kenova United Methodist Church where she started the Email Prayer Chain Ministry.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by one sister, Carol Sue Patterson. She is survived by her son, Tim (Amanda) Knopp; daughters Michelle Pemberton, Trisha (Andy) Scott; grandchildren Jacynn Pemberton, Ryann Pemberton and Bill Walker Scott; sister Deborah Hickel (Mike Harlow); special friend and father of her children, Tom Knopp and a host of friends and church family.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 12, 2022, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. with funeral services beginning at 7:30 p.m. with Pastor Randy Maynard officiating at Kenova United Methodist Church, Kenova, W.Va. Graveside service Thursday, January 13, 2022, 11 a.m. at Suncrest Cemetery, Point Pleasant, W.Va.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lawrence County Humane Society, PO Box 1331, Louisa, KY 41230 or AARF Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, 12365 Kevin Ave., Ashland, KY 41102. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfhcom.
We are heartbroken this week because we lost our beloved Miss Pat. Pat Machir passed away Monday, January 10. We send our deepest condolences and prayers to her family. Her obituary states that she was a smoking cessation counselor at Lawrence County Health Department, but that just doesn’t tell the whole story.
Everyone who worked on tobacco prevention in Kentucky knew Pat Machir. She worked tirelessly to help smokers quit, to keep people from starting in the first place and to make sure everyone knew about the dangers of secondhand smoke. She was instrumental in Lawrence County’s tobacco-free efforts with many organizations and businesses becoming tobacco free. She even made a commercial which you can see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvEaq_CIVk0.
Before my tenure, the Health Department worked on a project with UK’s School of Nursing that examined ways to reach rural smokers and motivate them to stop smoking. This study was published for others around the world to use. The UK School of Nursing was so impressed with the stories they heard they wanted to memorialize them in some way and the Tree of Life Quilt was created by Quilted Treasures Quilt Guild here in Louisa. Each pattern on the “story quilt” references one of the ways that helped smokers be strong enough to quit. The quilt has traveled the world – even to the International Quilt Show in Ireland!
The Tree of Life Quilt now hangs in our Health Department lobby and serves as a reminder of Miss Pat’s dedication to this cause.
Pat sent me an email many years ago that I saved. In it she says, “As you can probably tell, I am more than a little proud of her (the quilt) for many reasons, but I guess most of all because she displays the “truth” that overcoming tobacco habits can be achieved, and reminds us that becoming a non-smoker can lead to beautiful things for each individual”.
Pat Machir was more than a co-worker – she was my dear friend and I will miss her. Throughout the pandemic, she sent me many, many messages telling me that I was in her prayers, that she loved me, that she was proud of me, that I was just on her mind. Those messages are so special to me. Each time I pass the Tree of Life Quilt I will think of Pat Machir and what a difference she made in my life and the lives of so many others.
Pat’s service may be viewed at this link tonight, Wednesday, January 12 at 7:30pm: Rollinsfh.com/stream
What a sweet surprise this is for me today to see this tribute to my Momma. Thank you so much for honoring her in such a nice way!
Thank you for sharing this about my momma. It touches my heart deeply to know so many people loved her.