Mrs. Patricia D. Sands, age 72 of Dogwood Terrace, Ellijay, passed away on January 1, 2011. Mrs. Sands was born in Poughkeepsie, NY to parents Edward & Leah Dwyer. Pat (Patty, Patricia) was deeply devoted to her family and friends and supported us all through good times and bad. We cherish the memory of Pat’s fun-loving, generous spirit, her wonderful sense of style, her creativity and adventurous nature.

She leant her time and talents to a number of organizations. Pat founded the first Red Hat chapter in Ellijay. Pat served on the board of Kids First and was very active in her church, Good Samaritan Church. She is a member of the Lions Club and volunteered in a number of activities on Walnut Mountain.

Prior to retiring to her beloved Walnut Mountain, Pat worked as a judicial assistant to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Gainesville, FL.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, H. Edward Sands, her sister Alice Vogt, and her brother Gil Dwyer.

Memorial services will be held Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 11am from the Good Samaritan Catholic Church. Family will receive friends following the service.

Pat is survived by her sons, David (wife Virginia), and Craig; her grandchildren, Tyler, Meghan, and Dylan; her nieces Kimberly Bavali (husband Reza), Amanda Kallenbach, and Debbie Piratsy. Her nephews, Chris Leighton, Mark Vogt (wife Rebecca) and Tony Dwyer; her former daughter-in-law, Ruthie Ivester (husband Mike); sister-in-law, Carol Dwyer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kids First of Gilmer County, P.O. Box 105, Ellijay, GA 30540, or to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312 in memory of Mrs. Sands.

Bernhardt Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.