Helen Patricia (Wills) Washington, 79 of Clinton, Maryland.

Her Story

Helen Patricia Wills Washington of Clinton, Maryland, affectionately known as Nanna, Pat or Patsy (and to some, Sook) was called to her Heavenly home Tuesday, July 1, 2025.  A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, Pat was born February 7, 1946 to the late Charles B. Wills and the late Catherine Dyson Wills Jones in Spring Hill, Maryland.

Pat was one of 13 children in a home filled with love.  She attended Port Tobacco Elementary, continued her education at Bel Alton, and graduating from the high school in 1964.  During her high school years, she was actively involved in a number of pursuits—the NAACP youth corps, the 4H, and the Candy Stripers program at Physicians Memorial Hospital.  Pat also was a cheerleader, a majorette, and a member of the Spring Hill girls' softball team —all activities that required some amount of energy, athleticism, and strength.

Not too long after high school, Pat became a wife and mother.  She took great pride in her role as an adoring mom to David, Antoine, and Kimberly.  After the children became school-aged, Pat joined the federal workforce with the Department of Defense starting at Fort Myer in Virigina, then at the Forrestal building, and finally at Fort McNair both of which are in Washington, DC, where she retired as Supervisor of Military Pay Clerks.  Though she enjoyed her work and colleagues and would miss it all, what she wouldn't regret is that daily DC traffic!

Pat had a heart of gold.  Her caring nature and experience as a Candy Striper would prove to be invaluable to the family.  Almost immediately after her retirement, she pivoted and stepped in to be the primary caregiver for our ailing matriarch of the family in the last few years of her life. Thank you for your selflessness.

Not content with doing nothing, Pat took on a part- time job—wait for it—at Macy's and in the men's department, no less!  This was right up her alley because she was a true fashion enthusiast!  She was sought out by a number of regular customers because of her keen sense of style. Her conscientiousness, punctuality, and work ethic earned her numerous commendations and awards while there.

Pat always found so much joy in spending time with her daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids.  She played a major part in every aspect of their lives.  She was incredibly protective of them and showed her love in every possible way, often supporting her grandsons' sporting events, and everything in between.  She particularly loved the holidays, the shopping, the annual traditions, and the lavish dinners.

Kim talked with her mom every day.  They enjoyed chatting about the silly—and the not so silly—things people did in the daily news; the Young and the Restless—suggesting plot and dialogue rewrites; and the Bold and the Beautiful—suggesting a redo for everything: the plots, the dialogues, the fashions, and the actors!  When she wasn't doing that, Pat would be keeping her mind sharp with her sudoku books in her downtime.

Pat was about fun, too, and she lived her life fully.  She travelled with family and friends to Las Vegas, the Caribbean, and other destinations.  She and her sister Audrey, in particular, would do a lot together, most especially the casinos!  They would do the chartered coaches to the Northeast, the South, and the Midwest; but it was on the excursions to Delaware and New Jersey where they would have the most fun, and would regale us with stories of some of the more colorful 'regulars' on the trips!  Those sisters were always on the go--until Audrey became ill. Yet again, Pat stepped in to be a caregiver.  Thank you once more!

Pat is preceded in death by parents Charles B. Wills and Catherine D. Wills Jones, and stepfather Leo Jones; sons David W. Washington, Jr. and Antoine M. Washington; siblings George (Johnny) Dyson, Catherine E. Wills, Audrey T. Wills, Christopher C. Jones; and brother-in-law Francis L. Wallace.

Left to cherish precious memories are her loving daughter and son-in-law Kimberly and Walter Reuben, and her devoted grandsons Jamal Washington and Jalen Reuben; siblings Charles L. Wills (Margaret), Mary L. Wallace, Matt Nolan Wills (Rosita), Jean W. Stewart (Joseph), Robert X. Wills, Beverly A. Chisley, Monica V. Wills, and Bonita M. Jones; sister-in-law Sharon Carkhuff Jones; numerous nieces and nephews, among whom is godson Kevin Stewart; many cousins and extended family; and friends, both old and new.

Friends may visit with the family, Monday, July 14, 2025 from 9am until Mass of Christian Burial, 10am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church  201 St. Mary's Avenue, LaPlata, Maryland 20646. Interment immediately to follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery LaPlata, Maryland.