Obituary: Patricia VanDyke Dore

Patricia VanDyke Dore
(July 23rd, 1941 – June 28th, 2024)

Pat was born on Broad Run in Monroe County, WV, on July 23rd, 1941, to Ella Marie McCraw and Joseph Curtis VanDyke. She spent her youth between Monroe and Greenbrier Counties and graduated from Greenbrier High School in 1959.

She married James Christie (1935-1983) in February 1959 and lived on the Christie Family Farm in Sinks Grove, WV, where she became a farmer’s wife, an amazingly active member of the Monroe County community, and raised her four children. Pat’s proudest achievement was raising her four children, Deb, Harv, Mike, and Eugene, to be hard working, family oriented, and community involved. She was a member of the Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, where she participated in the Women’s Circle, and was very fond of the Wolf Creek Baptist Church. She was a leader in the Monroe County Home Extension Club, a Club Leader for the Better Builders 4-H Club in Sinks Grove, as well as a volunteer for the Monroe County 4-H Scottish Dance Team. She was also involved in the Wellspring Craft Cooperative in Lewisburg, WV.

She married Michael Dore on September 20th, 1986, and became an active member of the National Speleological Society and caving community. Pat explored most of the well known caves of Monroe and Greenbrier Counties and became a most gracious host to all who ventured to explore Scott Hollow Cave, located on her property in Sinks Grove. In 2004, Pat became a Fellow of the National Speleological Society and Life Member. She and Mike ran an upholstery business, The Springhouse, out of their farmhouse shop.

She was a professional seamstress, dairy farmer, avid gardener, wood crafter, and quilter extraordinaire. She made many wedding cakes and wedding dresses for the brides of Monroe County for years, also occasionally dove into wedding catering. Her hobbies included canning, baking bread, sewing, reading, and anything that would keep her hands busy, and she was always willing to sit at her kitchen table to socialize with anyone who wanted to stop by and visit.

Pat passed quietly, surrounded by loved ones, in her home, at age 82, due to a sudden recurrence of cancer. She is preceded in death by her first husband, James Christie; her first son, Harvey Christie (Cristy Christie); and niece, Deidi VanDyke.

She leaves behind her beloved husband, Michael Dore; her children, Debbie Gentry (Tom Gentry), Michael Christie (Jeanne Christie), and Eugene Christie (Elizabeth Christie). Pat had seven grandchildren, Adam Gentry, Drew Gentry, Cate Poage (Brent Poage), Becky Christie, Gabe Christie, Jacob Christie, and Sam Christie. She was fortunate to be a memorable and fun great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Jimmy VanDyke (Pat VanDyke); and special cousin and friend, Libby Osborne.

The family welcomes you to a Celebration of Life Party at Mike and Pat’s Farmhouse on Sunday, July 7th, located at 815 Fort Springs Road, Sinks Grove, WV. Gathering begins at 2 p.m. The family asks for you to bring fond stories to share, a memorial journal will be made available for guests to document their favorite memories of Pat. In lieu of flowers, please bring a covered dish or beverages.

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