Lauren E. Patrick

PATRICK, Lauren E., age 36, of Waynesville, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023, at her residence. Lauren graduated from Lebanon High School, class of 2005. An accomplished artist, she attended the Art Institute of Cincinnati. She made a living in graphic design, and from her lifelong love of art, often being asked to paint special events, historical buildings, nature scenes, and a number of special requests from individuals, civic groups, and companies. Always smiling, glowing, loving, caring, strong, resilient, kind, and always positive, Lauren had a glowing and sweet personality even when cancer gave her the most trouble. Art was her passion! As a little girl, her parents noticed that she had a talent with her drawings. With encouragement, her love of creating fine works of art grew. The family found buying her Christmas presents easy, as she always wanted more art supplies. As an elementary student, her art became the cover of one of their class books. She won several state art trophies and five national art trophies at the teen talent competition in Indianapolis. She has her art professionally displayed at the Mary L. Cook Public Library in Waynesville, among other places. Perhaps most importantly, art gave her a focus and escape from the battle she faced with cancer. When she was young, her family enjoyed traveling to Hocking Hills to hike and explore the nature trails, especially in the fall. She loved the time she spent boating, tubing, kneeboarding, and jamming to classic rock as a child with her family on the lake. Lauren loved nature and being outdoors. In addition to hiking, she enjoyed canoeing, kayaking, and snow skiing. Fall was her favorite time of the year to view the fall colors and the coolness of the air. She also relished any chance to sit in the sun and feel the warmth on her face. She was always looking at a scene from an artist’s perspective. Her other hobbies included reading and audiobooks, mainly spiritually driven material, attending concerts, and caring for her indoor plants. She had a tender heart toward animals and was always taking in a stray or caring for a cat, dog, or other animal. She will be remembered for how much laughter she created and the joy she brought to any room with her infectious smile. However, her love for her kids and how much she loved being their mommy will be remembered most by all who knew her. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Kelley. She leaves behind a loving family: her devoted husband of 17 years, Josh; her cherished children, daughter Sophia and son Bodhi; her parents, Larry Epp and Susan (Steve) Muterspaw; and her grandparents, John and Edith Epp and Margie Kelley. Surviving siblings include her brother, Nathan (Colleen) Epp; stepbrother, Nathan (Josie) Muterspaw; stepsisters, Nicky (Lawrence) Hawkins, Natalie (Glen) Robinson, and Caroline (Nathan) Reinhart. Her family circle includes a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins who will miss her deeply. The family will receive friends from 4 –8 p.m. on Monday, October 16, at Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home in Waynesville. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, at the funeral home, with Pastor Joe Shutts officiating. Burial will be in Miami Cemetery, Corwin. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton or the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Lauren lived by a phrase that was attached to her refrigerator that said: “The best is yet to come,” except she crossed out the part that referred to the future, making it say instead, “The best is in the present!” Condolences to the family may be made at www.stubbsconner.com.

Lauren E. Patrick

February 4, 1987 - October 9, 2023