Patricia Ann (Hinkle) Cahill

Sept. 13, 1947 – Jan. 22, 2021

On Jan. 22, 2021, Patricia Ann (Hinkle) Cahill, loving sister, mother, and friend passed away at age 73.

Patricia was born on Sept. 13, 1947 in Phoenix, Arizona to Ernest Ralph and Helen Jane (Sandige) Hinkle. Pat graduated from Central High in the class of 1965. She received her degree in education from Arizona State University in 1970. After marriage, she traveled with the U.S. Air Force throughout the southern United States until settling in Atlanta and having a career in floral design/management.

She relocated, and taught middle school in Tonto Basin and Pine, Arizona, while focusing on raising her daughter. Having a dream to travel to Alaska, she moved to Nanwalek, where she continued teaching and learning about the culture. She then received her master’s degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Pat returned to Arizona to take care of her father, where she tutored at-risk children and became an active volunteer in the VNSA.

Pat had an amazing talent for arranging flowers. She practiced this art in various job venues, as well as weekly in her own home. When it came to her family, Patricia had a caring relationship with her “Frister” Sue, as well as being a devoted mother and a supportive Nana. She often immersed herself in the joy of preparing comfort food for herself and others, always discovering recipes that brought delight and satiety to everyone’s heart as well as their belly. An avid reader, she always had a book with her wherever she went. Creating holiday memories for her family and neighbors was a priority for Patricia, because she found happiness in creating joy for others. In her moments of peace she loved sitting under the pine trees, listening to the wind rustle the branches while feeling the cool breeze caress her face, where it was in these moments she felt closest to God.

Patricia was preceded in death by her mother, Helen, and father, E.R.

She is survived by her sister, Sue Helen Hinkle; daughter, Laura Michele Murphy; son-in-law, Geoff Eugene Murphy; and grandchildren Richard Carl Jacobsen III, Emelia Rae Jacobsen and Kera Leilani Jones.