Margaret "Pat" Arnold Erichson, of Asheville died August 4.

"Mom Pat" was the graceful, loving matriarch of a family that spans four generations. She was the consummate hostess, an ace at the stove, a voracious reader, a fluid story teller and a believer in the power of a hand-written letter. Pat graduated from the University of California-Berkeley and was an avid sports enthusiast and proud fan of the Golden Bears, the Tar Heels and any team for which her grandchildren competed.

Pat was born in Aurora, Nebraska to Maybelle Hunter and Frisbie Orton Arnold and moved to Pasadena, California during the first year of her life. Pat and her husband John and daughters Margie, Sally, and Nancy moved to Asheville in 1958.

A dedicated world traveler, Pat made lasting friendships everywhere she went. Whip-smart, she knew the answers to trivia questions before Alex Trebeck. She made good grammar a cause and good manners an imperative. Her grandchildren nicknamed her "Miss Manners." She was a gifted writer, and she loved keeping up with friends and family by telephone, typewriter, and later, by e-mail. To her family, she was a role model, confidant, and source of great joy.

Married for 68 years Pat is survived by her best friend and loving husband, John William Erichson of Asheville; daughter Margie and son-in-law Tom Haber, Chapel Hill; daughter Sally Lewis, Chapel Hill; daughter Nancy and son-in-law Bill Peterson, Piedmont, Cal..; grandchildren John Haber and wife Anna, Atlanta, Ga.., Meg and husband Mark Skerik, New York, N.Y.; Eric Haber, San Francisco, Cal.; Nancy Lewis, Charlotte, N.C.; Hunter Lewis, New York, N.Y.; John Lewis, Atlanta, Ga.; Matthew Peterson, New York, N.Y.; Scott Peterson, San Francisco, Cal..; Sally Peterson, Boulder, Col.; and great grandchild Adelyn Skerik.

A celebration of Pat's life will be held in Asheville at a date to be announced. In lieu flowers, please make donations to Meals on Wheels and Care Partners Foundation/Hospice Foundation, both of Asheville, N.C.