Patricia May Gotwalt, 88, reunited with her beloved husband, Eddie Lee, on July 3, 2025, after a beautiful life lived to the fullest.
Born May 13, 1937, in Pocomoke City, Md., she was the daughter of Reginald and Sarah Margaret (Ennis) Adams.
Pat is survived by her son and best friend, J. Michael Taylor; granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Nicole and Isaac Bucher; and her pride and joy, great-grandson Larkin Lee Bucher, all of Orrtanna. She also leaves behind her brother, Clark, and many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Edwin Gotwalt, daughter Tammy Cullison, siblings Butch, Sharon, and Sandra, as well as many treasured pets.
Early in life, Pat wore stilettos and lipstick while working at a soda fountain in Salisbury, Md., where she met her soulmate, Ed. Later, as a cashier at Giant, she brought the same grace and style. Eventually, she swapped her heels for more practical shoes as she helped build a beloved Gettysburg-area landmark, Mister Ed’s: The Territory’s Most Unusual General Store.
From 1975 to 2012, she was the heart and soul of the business that grew into Mister Ed’s Elephant Museum & Candy Emporium. Whether managing day-to-day operations at the store or running booths at more than 40 fairs and festivals across the East Coast, Pat’s practicality and organization grounded Ed’s whimsical vision. They were a perfect pair, who were both recently honored in a giant 50th anniversary mural at Mister Ed’s.
Pat was known for her bold pink fingernails, but she wasn’t afraid to get them dirty. Though she could seem stern, those who knew her saw a deeply loving woman with a quiet strength. She had a knack for brilliant ideas behind the scenes and selflessly pushed Ed to shine in the spotlight. She was equally at home dining at world-class restaurants or enjoying scrambled eggs at home (just don’t wash her egg pan), but she had a special love for tomato caprese salad. A private but profoundly generous woman, Pat often gave anonymously, especially to children and families in need. She made every holiday feel magical for those she loved.
As a great-grandmother, she was energetic, playful, and imaginative, encouraging experiments with tin foil boats and toilet paper mâché to the endless delight of Larkin.
She traveled the world, loved live theater, reading, and shopping, and collected fancy hats and teapots, many of which are now housed in Miss Pat’s Teapot Museum. For many years, February meant warmth and peace at her island home of St. Martin.
Private arrangements are being handled by Monahan Funeral Home. Online tributes and condolences can be made at monahanfuneralhome.com.
In her memory, the family suggests donations to the Adams County SPCA. Condolences may be sent to her family at 6019 Chambersburg Road, Orrtanna, PA 17353.