Patsy Estes Durgin

Patsy “Pat” Ann Estes Durgin, 89, formerly of Columbia, South Carolina (most recently of Fort Mill, SC), passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, surrounded by family members. She was the daughter of the late Clifton and the late Evelyn Estes. Born on January 26, 1937, she grew up in Waldo, Florida, and graduated from Gainesville High School (Florida). Soon after, she married Thomas “Tom” Lancaster Durgin and began their married life driving from Waldo, Florida, to Monroe, North Carolina, for his job. They shared almost 42 years raising a family, traveling with friends and family to Clemson and USC football games, and supporting each other's activities until his passing in November 1996. Pat retired from the Richland County School District, having worked in the Guidance Department at Eau Claire High School and as the Head Bookkeeper at Columbia High School.

Throughout her years, she shared her love of theater by either directing or performing in many plays in Monroe, North Carolina, Florence, South Carolina, and most often at Town Theatre in Columbia, South Carolina. Some of her favorite roles she played were Aunt Eller in Oklahoma, Big Mama in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Mother Burnside in Mame.

Pat and Tom moved to Columbia in 1964, where they raised their three daughters, Lynn Durgin Dickinson (George), Sharon Durgin, and Laura Durgin Tedder (Richard). They were members and very involved for many years at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, where Pat enjoyed singing in the church choir and participating in many church functions.

Besides church and football games, Pat was active in the Columbia Choral Society, the St. Andrew’s Women’s Club, serving on the Town Theatre Board of Trustees, and always took advantage of any opportunity to travel, enjoying trips to Egypt, London, New York, Hawaii, Chicago, Boston, Florida, and many fun road trips to the beaches and mountains of the Carolinas.

Pat knew for most of her life that she was adopted. But though she was raised a much-loved only child, she always wondered who she really was. When she was almost 80 years old, through DNA testing and an ancestry search, her biological parents were identified. Her birth parents had been high school sweethearts who could not be married and had to give her up. The search also revealed three half-siblings, who graciously embraced their unexpected extra sibling. Their love and support meant the world to Pat.

Pat’s legacy of fun, food, travel, and adventure will live on in her six grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

Pat was predeceased in death by her parents, Clifton Zanier and Evelyn Dougherty Estes, her husband, Thomas “Tom” Lancaster Durgin, and her great-granddaughter Cora “Corrie” Bridges. She is survived by her daughters Patricia Lynn Durgin Dickinson (George), Sharon Elaine Durgin, Laura Elizabeth Durgin Tedder (Richard); grandchildren, Rebecca Dickinson Bridges (John), Rachel Powell Kinsey (Bryan), Michael Powell (Breanna), Thomas Dickinson, Sawyer Tedder, Elizabeth Tedder, great-grandchildren, Charles Bridges, Ayden Price, Brady Powell and her half-siblings, Norma Bates, Betty Ann Friedman and Tom Leeds.

A service for Pat will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 13, 2026, at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, with visitation for one hour before the service. A private family internment will follow at Bush River Memorial Gardens.

Memorials can be made to the Rhame Education Fund of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210.