Patricia “Pat” Stafford Epstein, 79, passed away peacefully on Dec. 28, 2025, at home with family in Summerville, South Carolina.

A beloved and avid horsewoman and antiques dealer who loved to explore the mountains, seas and everywhere in between, Pat brought charm and love of life to everyone whose lives she touched. She loved her boyfriend Richard Key and her cherished community of Del Webb.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Pat grew up on the North Shore and attended New Trier High School in Winnetka. She attended Gulf Park College for Women in Gulfport, Mississippi.

She later moved to the California coast, where she met her future husband, Ronald Cole. They moved to Maryland and had two sons, Daniel Cole and Christopher Cole.

The family lived in Virginia Beach and later Manassas, Virginia, where Pat started her first horse farm. The family relocated to Moncks Corner, S.C., and Pat began her second farm, Canter Merry Stables. She raised, trained and boarded horses and taught English equestrian and trail riding, as well as running a tack shop.

After she was widowed, Pat lived in Aiken, S.C., and later Burnsville, N.C. She moved to Manning, S.C., and opened her own antique shop near the shores of Lake Marion. She was married to the late J.D. Epstein, and they lived in St. Marys, Georgia, and Summerville.

Patricia is survived by her sons, Christopher and Daniel, daughter-in-law, Stefanie Cole; two granddaughters, Madison Cole and Sydney Cole; grandson, Evan Cole; and niece, Nicole Melton.

A memorial service will be held March 6, 2026 at 4:00PM at 704 Battery Edge Dr Summerville, SC 29486.