Patti Lou Pope Hewlett, 89, matriarch, registered nurse, community volunteer and advocate for children, passed away on November 16, 2024.

Patti was born in Lockhart, Texas on October 11, 1935 to Henry Gillette Pope and Mabeth French Pope.  Shortly after Patti was born, Minnie Hilgers, a family friend, dropped by to visit Mabeth and her new baby.  Minnie announced, "I have a new grandson for this beautiful baby girl."  That grandson was Don Hewlett.  As an only child, Patti was doted on by her large extended family in the Lockhart area.  She spent many weekends and summers on the farm with her Big Auntie and Uncle John, tending the garden, feeding chickens, playing with the latest litter of hound pups, and learning the art of Texas farm cooking.  Being famously unathletic, Patti gravitated to music, learning the piano and playing the clarinet in the high school band.  Deciding to pursue a career in nursing after volunteering at the local hospital, upon graduating from Lockhart High School in 1954 she headed to Austin and enrolled in the Brackenridge School of Nursing.

As Patti told it, this cute boy in the class ahead of her, Donnie Hewlett asked her on a date.  Knowing it was his 16th birthday, she decided to get him a little gift, a tie clasp in the shape of a golf club.  She wrapped it up with a card that said "Sweet 16 and never been kissed.  Well come over here boy and see what you've missed."  That date started a 73-year love affair, and a dynamic partnership grounded in faith, family and community.  Don and Patti were married on August 18, 1956 and recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary.  Patti graduated from nursing school and became a registered nurse in 1957, taking a job at Brackenridge Hospital.  As newlyweds, Don started his career in the automobile business, while she rotated through various departments, finding her passion as a charge nurse in the maternity ward.  With a growing family came moves from Valley Oak Dr. to Marilyn Dr. to Deepwoods Dr. with Patti at the helm.  Along the way she added shifts as Cub Scout Den Mother and Little League Team Mom to her normal night shifts in the maternity ward.

In 1971 Don had the opportunity to become a partner in Compton Motors in Georgetown.  Georgetown was a small community of 7,000 and Compton Motors was a small Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile dealership one block off the town square.  Don and Patti packed up their family and moved back to a small town. They believed in the personal connections, support, and sense of community that a small town provides and wanted that for their family.  Patti and Don brought their diverse talents together to build a business that supported its employees and the community, and a family grounded in love, faith and encouragement.  The success of Don Hewlett Chevrolet Buick, Inc and the Hewlett Automotive Group rides on their shared vision and hard work.

With a special passion for reading and literacy Patti joined the Georgetown Public Library Advisory board and helped steward the planning and expansion of the Georgetown Public Library.  The auditorium there bears the Hewlett name.  Patti also had the heart of a healer and cared deeply about the welfare of children.  Her desire to serve led her to a decades-long career, first as the public health nurse for the Williamson County Health Department and then as a school nurse in the Georgetown public school system.  With her experience as a mother of 4 and a pediatric nurse she brought wisdom and compassion to the school day for many of Georgetown's kids.  In 2009, Patti and 10 other charter board members formed CASA of Williamson County as a non-profit to train volunteers to work on behalf of abused and neglected children and youth.  As the organization thrived, she was particularly proud of her early involvement.  Patti and Don were also long time committed members of the First United Methodist Church Georgetown.

Patti Hewlett's love language was food, and she spoke it fluently.  As a young woman, she had cooked with, and been trained by her mother-in-law Kathryn Hewlett, the Ellison sisters of Lockhart and her beloved Aunt, Mae Eva Lowry.  With these women, cooking was less about recipes and more about taste and technique that was handed down.  Patti's key to raising 3 sons was to keep them fed, knowing a full refrigerator kept them close to home.  When Don Ross and David were playing high school football, there were no school provided pre-game meals.  So, Patti stepped in.  She fixed chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy and hot rolls for a line of boys before every home game believing that it gave the Eagles a better shot at victory.  Her holiday tables were legendary, too.  Platters and bowls of traditional Texas-style southern dishes flawlessly executed and in quantities that ensured that there was plenty for a last-minute guest and left-overs even after her 6 grandsons had seconds.  A long family dinner typically ended with Don contently smiling, patting his tummy, and saying "You can't get that at the Waldorf Astoria."  If you ask Patti and Don's grandkids to name their favorite food, it will probably start with "Mimi's", as in Mimi's Chicken Fried Steak, Mimi's Potato Salad, Mimi's Pumpkin Bread, Mimi's Banana Pudding, or Mimi's Peach Cobbler.  Even after their move to the Wesleyan, Patti kept it up with her "meals on wheels" project.  The "meals" were her latest baked goods out of the oven, and the "wheels" were the walker she pushed to deliver to her friends down the hall.

Other than her faith, Patti had no greater dedication than to her family.  She and Don were a true partnership of equals, recognizing the unique talents of the other and the shared success it created.  She was the family accountant, scheduler, event planner, chauffer, cook, decorator, and medic.  As a nurse, most complaints were diagnosed on the spot as allergies, probably something you ate, or the catch-all for rashes, "boy bumps".   Most ailments could be cured with a shot of Grape (Dimetapp), some tummy pills (Pepto), Neosporin or Ben Gay.  She made sure the cookie jar was full, the tree was always overflowing with presents, the birthday cards were on time, and that family pictures were taken.  Patti and Don guided their family, now some 27 strong, as examples of strength, true commitment, and unwavering support. They have also challenged and trusted the next generation to carry on with confidence.

Patti treasured true friendships, of which there were many, travel with Don, the love and companionship of their many dogs, and a good card game. Her happy places were being in any kitchen, holding any baby, drinking coffee while watching the sun rise on the face of the Castle Mountains from the back deck of their beloved cabin outside Gunnison Colorado, and watching her grandkids swim in Lake LBJ from the porch of the Lake House. As was said of Dad; to have called her friend meant you felt her warmth and encouragement.  To have called her Mom or Mimi meant you had received a blessing beyond measure and were accepted and loved unconditionally.

Since Don's passing a month ago, the family has surrounded our Mom and Mimi with love and support in our collective grief.  While her latest health setback was not unexpected, we meet her passing with sadness, but also with a peace that comes from knowing she is home, restored in Glory and reunited with her true love.

Remaining to carry on her legacy are her children Don Ross Hewlett (Janet), David R. Hewlett (Erin), Kathryn Hewlett Pharr (Brad), and Michael P. Hewlett (Melanie); grandchildren Ross Hewlett, Kathryn Hewlett McWherter (Nolan), Carter Hewlett (Katie), Stephen Hewlett, Whitney Hewlett Fernea (Weston), Landon Pharr (Samantha), Emily Pharr, Ryan Hewlett (Lauren), Courtney Hewlett Sivess (Wade), and Brady Hewlett; great grandchildren Briella McWherter, Mattie McWherter, Mason Hewlett and Riley Hewlett; his treasured brother Rob Hewlett (Shirley), nephew John Hewlett (Johanna), niece Jennifer Hewlett Tew (Ron), uncle Harry "Buzz" Hilgers and the Hilgers family.  The family would also like to acknowledge the love and support of Don and Patti's lifelong best friends, Bill and Dell Clark of Lockhart.

A service to celebrate Patti's life will take place on Friday November 22, 2024 at 2:30 PM at First United Methodist Church Georgetown 410 E. University Ave. Georgetown, Texas, led by John Hewlett, with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to First United Methodist Church Georgetown (building fund), or CASA of Williamson County.