Patricia Brinkley Shulimson passed away on Saturday, October 11, 2008.  She was born in Greenville, SC and is preceded in death by her father, Carroll Raymond Owens. 

     Patricia was employed by the WNC Development Association in 1976 (later to become WNC Communities).  She was elected president in 1987 and served in this position until she retired in 2002 at which time she continued to work as director of special projects and as a consultant as long as she was able.

     Pat played a role in development and expansion of agricultural facilities in Western North Carolina, including the North Carolina Arboretum, WNC Farmers Market, the McGough Arena and the Mountain State Fair at the WNC Agricultural Center, the Research and Extension Center in Fletcher, and expansion of facilities at the Mountain Research Station in Waynesville.  She worked with farmers in many ways to help promote their commodities.  Some of this work was done through efforts of six agricultural commodity commissions.  Pat especially enjoyed every opportunity to work with youth either through projects and programs of the WNC Community Development Program or agricultural projects, including annual livestock shows.  One of the things Pat had a love for was working with communities through the WNC Community Development Program, a cooperative effort between the WNC Development Association and the NC Cooperative Extension Service.  At times there were as many as 250 communities and other groups participating, including programs for youth, senior citizens, schools, and beautification programs.

     She received many honors during her career, including election to the WNC Agricultural Hall of Fame, 2003; elected lifetime director of the North Carolina Arboretum, 2005; elected lifetime director of WNC Communities, 2006; named Outstanding Rural Leader in 2001 by the NC Rural Center and the NC Rural Economic Development Organization.  She was once elected Business Person of the Year by the Sky High Chapter of the American Business Women. 

     Pat was known to be a convener of people and organizations and served on many boards and committees throughout her career.  These included past member, Executive Committee, the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center; Past President, NC Rural Economic Development Organization; Grove Arcade Public Market Foundation; Cradle of Forestry in America Interpretive Association; Keep NC Beautiful; WNC Tomorrow; WNC Associated Communities; WNC Economic Development Association; Asheville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross; Salvation Army; member, Asheville Kiwanis Club; member f the I-26 Corridor Association; and the advisory committees for the WNC Farmers Market, WNC Agricultural Center and the Mountain State Fair. 

     Pat was a member of Calvary Episcopal Church and former vestry member.

     She is survived by her husband, Bernard L. Shulimson; mother, Aline C. Owens; daughter, Stacey Kingsley and her husband, Ron; grandchildren, Scott, Christopher and Amanda Kingsley and brother, Raymond Michael Owens.

     Services will be held 1:30PM, Thursday, October 16 at Calvary Episcopal Church on Hendersonville Road in Fletcher.  Officiating will be Father Victor Mansfield, Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church, and Rabbi Robert Cabelli, Beth Israel Synagogue.  The family will receive friends in the Old Well Hall at the church two hours prior to the service.  Interment will be in the Lou Pollack Memorial Cemetery on Louisiana Avenue.

     In lieu of flowers, Pat requested that donations be made in her name to the Hope Chest Foundation, c/o Hope – A Women’s Cancer Center, 100 Ridgefield Court, P.O. Box 16948, Asheville, NC 28816; CarePartners Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813; Journey Scholarship Program, c/o The Community Foundation of WNC, 1 West Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801.