Patricia Anne “Patty” Vanderpool (née Wolff), age 68, passed away peacefully at her home in Daphne, Alabama.

Born in May 1958 in Peekskill, New York, Patty was the daughter of Albert J. Wolff and Patricia Quinn Wolff. She spent her early years on Long Island before moving to Mobile, Alabama, as a teenager with her parents, a move that would shape the life she would build in the community she came to love.

Patty is survived by her devoted husband, Reginald Vanderpool, with whom she would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary later this year; her daughters, Elysia Lock and Amanda Whited (Matthew Whited); her beloved grandchildren, Euan and Max Lock; and her brother, Michael Wolff (Colleen Wolff). She was preceded in death by her parents, Albert J. Wolff and Patricia Quinn Wolff.

A lifelong learner, Patty earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Alabama. Her relationship with the university came full circle when she later returned as a faculty member, sharing her knowledge and passion with future generations. Throughout her career as a licensed professional counselor, educator, mentor, and business owner, Patty dedicated herself to serving others with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering encouragement.

Her love for the mental health profession began in direct clinical work at Charter Hospital of Mobile and grew into the successful creation of her own independent counseling practice and employee assistance program, EAP Lifestyle Management. Through the business she built with vision and determination, Patty established relationships that allowed her to support the mental health and well-being of individuals and organizations locally, across the country, and internationally. Even after selling the practice and entering semi-retirement, she continued counseling and mentoring on a smaller scale, remaining committed to helping others live healthier, fuller lives.

While her professional accomplishments were remarkable, those who loved Patty knew that her greatest gift was the joy she brought into every room. She possessed an infectious laugh that came from her whole heart, never took herself too seriously, and had a remarkable ability to connect with anyone she met. She embraced life with enthusiasm, wearing bright colors that reflected the vibrant spirit she carried within.

Before building her career, Patty devoted herself wholeheartedly to raising her daughters as a full-time mother while simultaneously completing her Master’s degree. As her daughters grew, she pursued her calling while remaining deeply present and involved in their lives, even through the challenges of single parenthood. Friends often remarked, “She can do it all,” and Patty continually proved them right. She met life’s obstacles with determination, resilience, and unwavering optimism.

Patty found peace and happiness in her garden, where no day was too hot and no project too ambitious. She cherished time at the beach throughout her life and never passed up the opportunity to watch the sun set with her toes in the sand. Music was woven through every chapter of her life, and she rarely missed an opportunity to sing, dance, or celebrate with family, friends, or even strangers. Positivity, laughter, and gratitude defined the way she lived, and she encouraged those around her to do the same.

Faith was an enduring source of strength throughout Patty’s life, rooted in the example of her mother’s steadfast devotion to the Catholic Church. Her trust in God sustained her through every season, and she found comfort in the promise that she would one day be reunited with her mother and so many loved ones who had gone before her.

As she reflected on her life in recent years, Patty left behind words she wished to share with her daughters, taken from William Crowley’s poem:

“Ah, yet I descend to the grave may I a small house and a large garden have… and few friends and many books… both true, both wise, and both delightful too…”

Those words beautifully capture the life she cherished—one grounded in simple joys, meaningful relationships, lifelong learning, and gratitude.

Perhaps Patty’s greatest wish was that her passing not be marked by sorrow alone, but by celebration. She wanted to be remembered with laughter, music, colorful clothing, and stories that reflect the remarkable joy she brought to the world.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 24, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1505 Main Street in Daphne, Alabama. A Celebration of Life with music, laughter, and fellowship will immediately follow in the Assumption Hall.

In honor of Patty’s vibrant spirit and her love of living life boldly, family and friends are warmly encouraged to wear bright colors—and, above all, bring their smiles.

Patty leaves behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, wisdom, and joy. She taught others not only how to heal, but how to truly live. Her light will continue to shine through the countless lives she touched, and she will be deeply loved, forever remembered, and profoundly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Patty’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate

Hughes Funeral Home, 26209 Pollard Road, Daphne, AL, is assisting the family. Online expressions of condolences may be made at www.hughesfh.com.