Patricia "Patti" Fowler

Patricia “Patti” Fowler, 69, of Beaufort, NC, passed away on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

A memorial service to honor Patti’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, November 7th, at Munden Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website.

Born on November 22, 1955, in Bridgeport, CT, to the late Leo and Mary Krikorian, Patti was a devoted wife, loving mother, and adoring grandmother. She moved to Beaufort, NC, after graduating college to finish her degree at the Duke University Marine Lab. She fell in love with the town and its waterfront beauty, making it her home for the rest of her life.

She had a long 33 year career ending as Chief of the State of North Carolina Shellfish Sanitation Program. She was a member of the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference since 1986 and served on the executive board for many years. She dedicated her life to the protection and restoration of North Carolina’s coastal and shellfish water quality. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions, she received the NC Coastal Federation Pelican Award in 2015, a testament to her commitment to the environment and her beloved coast.

She faced a long battle with cancer with extraordinary courage, never complaining, always putting others first, with unmatched strength that gave her family more time filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories.

Patti’s greatest joy was her family. She cherished every moment celebrating birthdays, holidays, “Sunday at Nana’s”, and countless memories on the water at the shoal in North River and Shackleford Banks.

Patti’s kindness, generosity, compassion, and joyful spirit touched everyone she met. She had a way of making everyone feel seen, cared for, and loved.

Hosting for her loved ones was just one of Patti’s special gifts. Whether preparing meals for holidays, family gatherings, or spontaneous get-togethers, she delighted in bringing people together and filling their lives with warmth, comfort, and love. Her home was always open, her heart always full, and her love always evident in the smallest and largest of gestures.

Patti’s faith guided her through life, and she remained a devoted member of the Ann Street United Methodist Church in Beaufort, NC and the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension in Trumbull, CT.

Patti is survived by her husband, Harold Knudsen Jr. of Beaufort, NC; her daughter, Mary Margaret Becker of Beaufort, NC; her stepsons, Clay Knudsen of Beaufort, NC, Mike Knudsen (Amy) of Timberlake, NC, and Mark Knudsen of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren, Wayne Chambers, TJ Becker, and Eli Becker, all of Beaufort, NC; her step-grandchildren, Ashton White (Stone) of Youngsville, NC, David Knudsen of Durham, NC, and Greyson Knudsen of Simsbury, CT; her brother, Lee Krikorian of Boston, MA; her nieces, Kristen Krikorian of Narragansett, RI and Lauren Erikson (Trevor) of West Milford, NJ; and cousins, Dorothy Noreiks (Richard), Judy Cashman (Allen) and John Krikorian (Joan), along with many additional cousins who will cherish her memory.

In addition to her parents, Patti was preceded in death by her first husband, George W. Fowler, and her stepson, Cameron Knudsen.

Patti’s love for her family, her generous spirit, and her joyful presence will forever be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and kindness that will continue to inspire and comfort her family for generations to come.

Flowers are welcome, donations in her memory may be made to the Armenian Church of the Holy Ascension, 1460 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.