Patrina Sharmaine Best - Obituary

atrina Sharmaine Best, 38, who was raised all over the world in a US Navy family and considered herself home in Saint Mary's, Georgia and Honolulu, Hawaii, entered the kingdom of heaven on February 17, 2024. She was born on August 10, 1985 in Newport News, Virginia to Pearson and Georgiana Best. Her older sister, Gianina, was her best friend from the day she was born. Patrina was proud of her Bajan and Filipino heritage, and always loved the beach. She was a standout swimmer from an early age and went on to swim competitively at Camden County High School and Georgia Southern University. She excelled at sprint freestyle, and her best event was the 100 breaststroke, in which she garnered All-Conference honors while at GSU. She worked as a lifeguard throughout college and had a passion for teaching children to swim. After completing her college swimming career, she continued her athletic pursuits with CrossFit. She competed in CrossFit events from Virginia to Hawaii and was known for her impressive strength and agility, along with her radiant smile and encouraging personality in the gym. After college graduation in 2008, she worked briefly as an exercise physiologist before pursuing her true passion and becoming a registered nurse in the operating room. Patrina worked as an OR nurse in Fairfax, VA and then traveled the country as a travel OR nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. She loved providing expert nursing care to communities in dire need of qualified OR nurses. Patrina was born into a US Navy family, and always had a love of travel, which continued as an adult. Her travels included the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Iceland and most of Europe, as well as Barbados, much of the Caribbean, Mexico and across the United States. Some of her other favorite activities included fitness, thrifting, exploring new restaurants, going to the beach, paddleboarding, Scrabble, Legos and cheering for her beloved Jacksonville Jaguars and GSU Eagles. She loved to play ball with her cherished West Highland Terrier, Luke, or to cuddle with him on the couch. Most of all, Patrina loved to spend time with her family, whether at home or traveling together around the globe. Patrina was always quick to laugh and slow to anger. She had the most beautiful smile and shared it easily with everyone around her. She was known for being fun-loving and friendly. Her joy and light were infectious. She was independent and strong, but also deeply compassionate and sensitive. Above all, she was dependable and a wonderful friend. She was a beautiful person, inside and out, and made an impact on many people around the world. She will be forever missed, yet her memory and light will live on in the world forever. Patrina will be greatly missed by her parents Georgiana and Pearson Best, sister Gianina Best, brother-in-law Will Emerson, niblings (as she lovingly referred to them) Maya and Julius, her Hawaii Ohana, her New York, Barbados and Philippines families, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and amazing friends. And, of course, by her dog, Luke. Private funeral services will be held in Maryland and Hawaii for family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The Hawaiian Humane Society in her memory.