WILMINGTON — Patricia Anne (Rothrock) Cain, 79, passed away on April 30, 2025. She was born in Wilmington, North Carolina on March 13, 1946.
Pat grew up in the Seagate section of Wilmington with close ties to Wrightsville Beach as her father owned Causeway Seafood. She enjoyed visiting him at the market and began her menagerie of animals by bringing home “any cat she wanted”. Pat’s fondness for animals started young and continued through her adulthood. She owned many cats, dogs, birds, an alligator and a capuchin monkey. In her later years she had a very special dog, Shadow, who was her joy everyday and motivation for a lot of her rehabilitation efforts.
Pat graduated from New Hanover High School and attended East Carolina University, returning to Wilmington and her family. She married John Allison Cain in 1971. Johnny and Pat were married for 54 years and were together through all of life’s ups and downs. Together they raised two sons, John David and Jason Patrick (Jake). She loved her sons with all of her heart and was proud of the adults they became. Pat, John and Jake would look back and laugh at all the challenges two young sons can bring a mother, making for many a lively story time at shared meals together. She welcomed a special daughter-in-law, Charlene who provided her much love and support through their time together.
Pat was an avid bowler and was the member of several bowling teams including a team in the senior league. The friends she made on these teams were very special to her and she was loved by them in return.
Pat was preceded in death by her parents William and Bertha Rothrock. She is survived by her husband John, sons John (Kara) and Jason (Charlene) and stepdaughter Paula (Billy) Silva. She is also survived by her grandchildren John Cain, Trey (Miki) Cain, Michael Cain, Zac Decker (Keri), Shaina (Ed) Martin, Caroline Silva and Hunter Cain. She had several great-grandchildren. She especially loved getting to know and love on her great-granddaughter Macie Cain, in her later years. Pat is also survived by many special friends including Sylvia Edwards, her “best friend since the first grade”. Frequent phone calls kept their friendship up until the very end, despite their distance from each other.
The visitation will be at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel Wednesday, May 7th, from 4pm-6 pm.
A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, May 8th, at 1pm at Andrews Valley Chapel with burial following in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Please dress casually.
The family would like to recognize the pallbearers for the special place they held in Pat’s life: Danny Edens, Daniel Simmons, Trey Cain, Michael Cain, Zac Decker and Hunter Cain.
After the service the family will receive visitors and have a time of sharing memories at her home.
