Patience "Paiti" Cochran

Patience “Paiti” June Goldston Cochran, 85, of Concord, died Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at Atrium Health Cabarrus. In life, Paiti was a loving and trusted friend who was always kind and generous to everyone she met. She cherished God, her husband, family, friends, and community.

Paiti was born in Concord, November 23, 1937, to the late Julian James Goldston and Pearl Murr Goldston. Paiti was a 1956 graduate of Concord High School, where she was the one and only “Miss Gridiron” the one year they deviated from the name “Homecoming Queen.” Following high school, Paiti attended High Point College.

After returning to Concord, Paiti worked for Duke Power and Biberstein, Bowles, Meacham, & Reed in Charlotte. To get to her job in Charlotte, Paiti began carpooling with a young man who also worked in Charlotte, Bill Cochran. This carpool led to a lifelong romance that lasted sixty-one years. Bill and Paiti were married at Forest Hill United Methodist on January 24, 1960. Throughout their 61-year marriage, they were loving, committed, and playful — a true model of selfless and unconditional love. Bill adored his Paiti, frequently telling his family, "Look how pretty she is" to the end of his life. Paiti would shake her head and smile, quietly enjoying the wonderful love they shared. In recent years, she showed selfless and unconditional love as she cared for Bill throughout his declining health at the end of his life.

In addition to managing her home and raising her two boys, Paiti was the accountant for the family concrete construction and engineering business. She supported the community as well, notably in her years with the Junior Charity League, serving as President in 1974-1975. Throughout her life, Paiti was active in her church, Forest Hill United Methodist. At Forest Hill, she consistently served by making meals for others in times of sickness or bereavement. Many in the community will remember Paiti supporting Forest Hill’s weekly hot dog lunches, spaghetti dinners (based on her sauce recipe), chicken pie sales to raise money for the church, and serving in any other area needed.

Paiti and Bill loved times at their mountain house. In 1987, they moved 100-year-old logs to a mountain in Banner Elk. The couple worked diligently with the construction of this home overlooking Grandfather Mountain. This beautiful and peaceful place provided countless memories of Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas celebrations, card games on the porch, snowy shut-in weekends, ski trips, napping in the hammock and more with friends and family. Paiti and Bill loved traveling, playing tennis, skiing, and keeping in touch with multiple Concord High School and Lees McRae College friends. Paiti was also an avid bridge player and was always open to a game with friends.

During the last thirty years of her life, Paiti was a loving and devoted grandmother to her six grandchildren. Whether it was a school activity or one of the many volleyball, swimming, soccer, hockey, football, or wrestling athletic events she attended, Paiti thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren and spending time with them.

Paiti is survived by her sons, Tom Cochran and his wife Virginia of Norwich, Vermont, and Corey Cochran and his wife, Amy of Concord; and grandchildren, Ellie Cochran Piner and her husband, Andrew of Baltimore, Maryland, Justus Cochran of Raleigh, William Cochran of Missoula, Montana, Malcolm Cochran of Washington, D.C., Isaac Cochran and Samuel Cochran of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, at Forest Hill United Methodist Church, 265 Union Street North in Concord, with the funeral service beginning at 1:00 p.m. A receiving of friends will follow the service in the church sanctuary. A private burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

For those who wish to honor the life of Paiti Cochran, memorials can be made to Forest Hill United Methodist, 265 Union Street North, Concord, NC 28025.