The mission of the Nashville Wine Auction is to unite the wine community to fund the fight against cancer. It’s a very unique and special mission. Many of our patrons say, “We came for the wine, but we stayed for the cause.” We come together to have a good time and to share our enthusiasm for wine by buying luxurious trips to wine regions, outrageous wine tastings, culinary experiences and fine bottles of wine. We rely on the generosity of our community to offer these very special indulgences. There’s been no one more generous in this endeavor than Pam and Steve Taylor.
It seems almost every time we gather for an auction (and that’s often), we also share our stories of loved ones who have lost their battle to this disease. We hold great appreciation to our giving community for their heartfelt donations honoring the life of our friend Pat Anderson. Pat has been one of the reasons for the Taylor’s continual and intentional giving to Nashville Wine Auction.
In August 2016, Pam lost her sister, Patricia, to cancer. Patricia Anderson was born in Lufkin, Texas, attended Lufkin High School and followed in her sister’s footsteps to graduate from Texas A&M University in 1982. Her son Cyrus was born in 1990.
Pat lived in Houston where she opened the Physical Conditioning Center which focused on Pilates training and the rehabilitation of individuals in need. Promoting good health and the independence of running her business gave Pat many years of satisfaction.
From battling snakes while working with the forestry service, to racing in competitive bike races such as the hh100, Pat loved to compete and to be outdoors. A true Texan, she enjoyed football including the Lufkin Panthers, Texas Aggies, and Houston Texans. Pat was an avid hunter and fisherman, often visiting her family’s property on the Guadalupe River in Cuero, TX. She relished telling people of the joys of hunting in a town known as the turkey capital of the world.
Animals were another great love. There was always a menagerie of dogs, cats, and birds in her home. Much to her mother’s chagrin, she had a knack for discovering abandoned animals along the side of the road and giving them a new home.
Pat discovered she had advanced stage breast cancer in 2008, with doctors telling her she had few years to live. Pat valiantly battled the cancer and over the following eight years maintained a productive and high standard of living while surpassing the expectations of all her doctors. Pat succumbed to the disease in August, at the age of 56.
Pam, Steve and Pat enjoyed special times traveling to France where they could be found on occasion sharing a nice bottle of Champagne.
Auction Donations or cash contributions made in memory of Patricia Anderson by Tuesday, January 31st, will be recognized this year at Pairings. Auction lots with wine donated in Patricia’s memory will be noted with the “Pairings from the Heart” logo in the Pairings auction catalog. All donors will be listed under Auction Donors section of the Pairings auction catalog.
Pam and Steve have invited several of Pat’s friends to attend our Ultimate Wine and Food Weekend and will be presenting the “Raise Your Paddle” Live Auction lot at Pairings on Saturday night. We hope you can join us for Pairings and this special moment set aside to honor the life of Patricia Anderson.
