YARMOUTH - Patricia Ann (Davies) Fleshman, known to family and friends as Pat, of Freeport, Maine, died October 2, 2026, at age 83. She was born on December 4, 1942, to William and Mary Davies.

Pat graduated from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas, where she worked at a movie theater—fitting for someone whose lifelong love of old movies began as a girl sending away for autographed photographs of movie stars.

After college, Pat taught middle school English in Texas and Indiana. She later lived for many years in Bluefield, West Virginia, where she worked as a medical secretary, before eventually returning to teaching.

Pat and her husband, Walter “Bud” Fleshman, made their home in Troutdale, Virginia, in a cabin at the end of a mile-long gravel drive, complete with a lovely pond. Pat navigated the winding mountain roads to teach English first at Oak Hill Academy and later at Grayson County High School. She delighted in teaching literature, writing and grammar and cared deeply for her students. At Oak Hill, she was an enthusiastic supporter of the school’s basketball team, and at GCHS, she was honored to serve as a commencement speaker.

Pat’s classrooms changed with the seasons, with Bud serving as her patient co-decorator, assisting with the logistics behind each month’s collection. Pat was known for her fashion coordination, matching her outfits from head to toe, including earrings, necklace, watch and shoes, and, at times, a seasonally appropriate flower in her hair.

Pat’s love of language followed her home. Laura credits her mom with making her a better writer, beginning with childhood draft thank-you notes finalized following gentle lessons in spelling and grammar. Pat’s frequent cards for family and friends and her annual Christmas letter were legendary.  Her family long suspected it was no coincidence that the local Hallmark store closed after she left Bluefield.

Pat dearly loved her grandchildren and treasured being Grandma. When they were young, visits included gifted books read aloud; as they grew, she enjoyed holidays and special occasions with them whenever she could. Birthdays brought a phone call and Grandma proudly singing “Happy Birthday.”

Pat was predeceased by her parents; her brothers, William Davies Jr. and James Davies; and Bud. She is survived by her sisters, Barbara (David) Coleman of Haslet, Texas, and Judy Mattingly of New Castle, Indiana; her children, David Doyle of Croton-on-Hudson, New York and Laura Doyle Sanborn (Greg) of Yarmouth, Maine; her grandchildren, Christopher and Jonathan Doyle and Matthew, Evelyn and Benjamin Sanborn; and Valerie Doyle, mother of Chris and Jon.

Pat’s family is deeply grateful to the staff of Freeport Place for their kindness and care. Laura is especially grateful to her husband and children for the errands, appointments, visits and, of course, monthly seasonal decor changes Pat eagerly anticipated.

A celebration of Pat’s life will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Food Independence with information available at https://graysonlandcare.org/product/food-independence-donation.

Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Stetson’s Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 12 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Stetson’s Funeral Home website, www.stetsonsfuneralhome.com