Patricia Lynn Plaxico Passes Away at 77
Furniture World News Desk on
1/16/2018
A designer, historian, and lover of arts and music, Pat was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bienestock Furniture Library where a sculpture garden was created in her honor.
The Bienenstock Furniture Library reported that Patricia Lynn Plaxico a member of the Library's Board of Directors, died on January 2, 2018, in High Point. A designer, historian, and lover of arts and music, Pat was born on September 24, 1940, the daughter of James Marion Plaxico and Minnie Hackler Plaxico. She grew up in Winston-Salem and graduated from Glenn High School. Thereafter, she attended the University of North Carolina Greensboro and completed her undergraduate and graduate studies in design at Iowa State University. Pat later completed courses in French architecture and furniture at Parson's in New York and fashion marketing at New York University.
She was initially associated with Alderman Company in High Point for some 20 years. Originating the concept of having a showroom setup in room scenes, she was immediately recognized for her creativity and worked on numerous major projects relating to the furniture industry. "I can't wait to see what I can do" became her trademark theme.
Pat was a preservationist and student of history. Her projects have included Market Square in High Point (transforming of a factory into a furniture showroom); the E. J. Victor building; the Bienenstock Furniture Library; restoration of the old Guilford County Courthouse; the High Point Museum; the Golf Club at Roaring Gap; the Historic #1 Fire Station in High Point; the J. H. Adams Inn; the Opera House and Downtown Victorian buildings in Historic Stanford, Kentucky; the library at the North Carolina Governor's Mansion; the Phillips Building in High Point (presently the High Point Convention and Visitor's Center); campus buildings at High Point University, Duke University and Hollins College; and numerous other historic homes and/or building in North Carolina and the eastern United States. Pat was honored for her work as the first Luminary Award recipient by the International Furnishings and Design Association and Designer of the Year Award by the American Society of International Designers.
She was a significant supporter of the Piedmont Opera and was honored with the 2013 Terry Allen Volunteer of the Year A ward. Pat was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bienestock Furniture Library where a sculpture garden was created in her honor. Additionally, she was honored by High Point University with its installation of the Patricia Plaxico Climbing Rose Garden. She was actively involved with the High Point Museum, Penn-Griffin School of the Arts, the Wachovia Historical Society, The Daughters of the American Revolution, the Historical Book Club of North Carolina, the North Carolina Museum of History Association, the Wilson Quarterly Book Club, the High Point Tuesday Study Club, and the Mid-Week Garden Club. Additionally, she attended both First Presbyterian Church and St. Mary's Episcopal Church in High Point.
Pat loved her Rolls Royces, good food, High Point, and lifelong friends. Being a student of landscape architecture, the arts and history, Pat led study groups to numerous sites over the years in the South and East.
Video credited to John Conrad of the American Society of Furniture Designers.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to: the Bienestock Furniture Library Association, 1009 North Main Street, High Point, North Carolina 27262; or, the High Point Historical Society, 1859 East Lexington Avenue, High Point, North Carolina27262; or, the Piedmont Opera, 636 Holly Avenue NW, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 2710 I; or, High Point University, I University Parkway, High Point, Nmth Carolina 27262; or, High Point Preservation Society, P. 0. Box 56 53, High Point, NC 27262; or, St. Mary's Episcopal Church Music Endowment, 108 West Farriss Avenue, High Point, NC 27262.