Patti Williams Blare, Class of 1965, became a widow in 2015 when Gary Blare passed away in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Patti’s daughter, Dawn Marie Blare Richardson, 44, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, passed away Tuesday, May 10, 2016.

Patti grew up in Worthington.

Mareia Wilmoth McDougal, Class of 1964, reported the disheartening news after visiting Patti in Myrtle Beach.

Mareia and husband Earl McDougal, Class of 1963, live on Swisher Hill. Mareia was at Monongah High one year, her graduation year, after three years at Shinnston High School. That’s where she met Earl, who was at Monongah High all four years. Earl is a former coal miner who retired from Borg-Warner.  Earl McDougal and Mareia have a blended family of seven children.

Mareia writes:

“Just returned from Myrtle Beach, spending time with our friend, Patti Blare. I must tell you, in the past 7 months, she has lost her husband of almost 50 years and her first-born Dawn Marie, who was just 44 years old.

“It was a sad day again for us but a wonderful memorial party in Dawn’s honor.

“Friends, please continue to pray and hold up Patti. She is hurting but she is a strong woman. She has her daughter Dani and Jeff and Carol and Christy there for support. And a beautiful, big handful of grandchildren to make life worth living.

“We are so glad to be a part of their lives.”

Gary was listed as a Conway, South Carolina resident at his passing.

Dawn was born in Fairmont. Her children are Jessica, Zachary, Michael “Cody,” Abigail and Miranda.

Patti and Gary have another daughter, Danielle Asher, living with husband Jeff Asher in  Wilmington, North Carolina.