Patricia May Raskin

Patricia May (Welsh) Raskin, age 83, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home on August 10, 2024, after a brief illness. Patricia was born on August 30, 1940, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Robert Morris Welsh, Jr and Ida May “Peaches” (Berg) Welsh. She was an only child.

Patsy spent her early years in Philadelphia and then moved to a cabin on a mountaintop outside San Diego, California, during World War II, to be close to her father while he served in the Navy. After the war, the family returned to Philadelphia to be closer to her maternal grandparents. Patricia grew up on Clearview Avenue in Langhorne, PA, attended the Bristol Church of the Nazarene and graduated from Neshaminy High School in 1958. She then attended Penn State University, where she studied education and was secretary of the student council on the Ogontz campus, earning her bachelor's degree from Temple University. She taught every elementary school grade level within the Bensalem School District. In the 1970s, Pat pursued further education at Trenton State University (now The College of New Jersey), where she earned her master's degree and became a school guidance counselor. She dedicated 17 years to counseling at Snyder Middle School in Bensalem, while also serving as president of the Bucks County School Counselors Association. She earned 60 credits towards her doctorate and during her entire academic career she was a straight-A student, except for that one B earned in her freshman year of college (which she never got over).

In 1960, Patricia married Charles Albert Kerr Sr, and together, when she was 20 years old, they purchased their home in the Stonybrook section of Levittown and restored it before their wedding. Three years later they bought a center hall colonial on Noreen Drive in Lower Makefield, PA and later after restoring investment properties, they were able to build their custom contemporary on top of Solebury Mountain in New Hope, PA. Together they had two children: Charles Albert Kerr Jr, born in 1961, and Laura Beth Kerr, (now Gilman), in 1969.

In 1980, Patricia married Donald H. Rowe, the publisher of the Wall Street Digest. Pat worked closely with Don, eventually rising to the role of editor for the newsletter. The couple relocated the business to Sarasota, Florida, in 1988, where they made their home on Long Boat Key. Pat was actively involved in the community, serving on the boards of the Asolo Repertory Theatre, the Sarasota Opera, and the Humane Society. Additionally, she was heavily involved with the Guardian ad Litem program, advocating for children in the legal system.

Patricia had a deep passion for interior design, theatre, fine dining, music, art glass, and sculpture, with a particularly keen eye for modern and Asian art. She was known for creating dramatic design on a dime as a young adult with her husband Chuck and then collaborated with designers in her later years. As an avid art collector, she traveled the world, discovering works she integrated into her beautifully appointed homes. One of them in Longboat Key, FL, was even a feature in “Architectural Digest”.

Pat also had an affection for stylish cars. In the 1980s, she drove a custom cream-colored Cadillac Seville with a “chocolate brown” fabric Landau roof and a real exposed spare tire on the trunk with chrome spindles. Later, while living in Sarasota, she was often seen driving around town in her candy apple red Jaguar two-door convertible with a cream leather interior. Pat was known for being well put together and accessorized. She loved wearing her St. John knits and getting all gussied up to attend benefits. 

In her later years, while living in New York City, Pat married David E. Raskin, MD, a renowned forensic psychiatrist. They made their home in various places, including New York City, Katonah, NY, Wilmington, DE, and eventually at the Lantern Hill retirement community in New Providence, NJ, where David passed in 2021.

Patricia is survived by her two children, Charles and Laura Beth. Charles is married to Karen Kerr, and Laura Beth is married to Daniel Gilman. Laura Beth and Daniel have four children, Patricia’s beloved grandchildren: Charles (Chas, 25), Sarah (Sadie, 23), Mitchell (20), and Lily (18).

A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Thompson Memorial Presbyterian Church in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Pat loved fresh cut flowers and orchids, and animals too. Donations in Patricia's name can be made to the Bucks County SPCA.