Tributes

Patricia Mary (Hawkins) Dorfer passed away on November 4, 2024, peacefully after a brief illness at Tidelands Health Hospital in Murrells Inlet, SC. The daughter of Helen and Woodrow Hawkins; she was born on December 26, 1949, in Port Jefferson, Long Island, NY. She spent her youth in Moriches, Long Island, NY. Patricia is survived by her twin brother Michael (Mary Jean-dec.) and brothers Joseph (Cindy-dec.), Robert, Kenneth (Kathie), and twelve nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Gregory, her parents, Helen and Woodrow and most recently, her sister Kathleen. She graduated from Farmingdale College with a degree in recreation and physical education. She was an avid walker, seen two or three times a day, meeting and talking with each dog throughout the neighborhood. Pat spent many enjoyable days swimming in her community pool, caring for the cleanliness of all the outside furniture and urging all swimmers and guests to adhere to pool rules and policies. Pat loved the ocean, walking endlessly while tossing stones with encouraging spiritual words on each into the ocean. She often noticed these same stones being found by people many days, weeks, and even months later- always amazing to those who discovered them; often a personal and deep meaning in their find. Brookgreen Gardens might be considered, along with the ocean, her favored destinations for meditation. Pat, often thought to be stoic and stringent to many, had the most beautiful, sensitive, and comforting side. Her poems and prose are mesmerizing; absolutely unforgettable. An avid reader, she owned virtually all hardcover books by her favorite authors. Pat also enjoyed hosting annual holiday brunches with friends. Pat founded “The Survivors of Suicide” group after Gregory’s death and has held monthly meetings for nearly twenty years. This group served to give comfort and support to so many over these years. Pat and Greg worked in the food industry beginning in Long Island, followed by similar work in Hornell, NY. They moved to Murrells Inlet more than twenty years ago. Pat continued her food services career at Cracker Barrel as a cook until her retirement. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Goldfinch Funeral Home, 11528 Hwy 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC. The service will be followed by prayers at Pat’s favorite location by the ocean. In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to make a donation to Lower County Community Church-Shoebox Ministry; Saint Michael’s Roman Catholic Church; their local animal shelter or a charity of one’s choice. There will be a service for Pat on December 7, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Mary Immaculate Church, 16 Browns Lane, Bellport, Long Island, NY 11713 followed by a gathering to be announced at the service.

Tributes

Patricia Mary (Hawkins) Dorfer

December 26, 1949 - November 4, 2024