Patricia was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and adopted at seven weeks by her new parents from Buffalo, New York. They grew up just outside of Buffalo, in what locals would call the “Southtowns” which to them translates into “tremendous amounts of snow.” Luckily, Patricia’s parents taught them to ski. She was the middle child between two brothers, also adopted from the same infant home.
Her father was an attorney who saw no benefit in her desire to attend Carnegie Mellon’s theater school. She then followed in his footsteps and became an attorney, and early in her career, moving on to becoming a judge. For many years, Patricia sat as a Family Court Judge, which she says was an absolute privilege. She did not give up the theater dream, and did community theater in Western New York right until she moved to Florida.
Patricia’s three grown children all live in New York State and never cease to amaze her in how they handle life’s challenges and remain kind, respectful, and compassionate people. “I can think of no greater joy than knowing my children think of others in everything they do,” she says.
Her “retired life” is here in Venice. Patricia and her husband moved permanently at the end of 2022, but she’s far from retired, as she found a new theater home at Lemon Bay Playhouse.
Patricia says, “It’s my honor to be serving as President and cannot wait for the community to see what we have in store. I also concentrate my law practice on representing Tribal Courts in New York State, developing and enhancing tribal court systems, and furthering education on the Indian Child Welfare Act. Corner me anytime and I will tell you all about it.”
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I do not really believe anything is perfect; too subjective. To me happiness is being thankful and comfortable with the life you are living.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is that no one will remember where I am buried. Should give you an insight into my need to always have an audience, even in death!
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Deplore is too strong. Let’s say I am terribly frustrated that people do not share their talents and time with others, especially with those who are in need.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Anyone who has seen my shoe collection knows this answer, although Disney is a close second.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
If I told you what I most dislike about my appearance, I’d call attention to it, nope!
Which living person do you most admire?
Not just one, there are three, my kids who are genuinely great human beings.
Every edition, Englewood REVIEW spotlights someone who stands out in the community. We ask each person to tackle The Proust Questionnaire; a classic set of questions created by Marcel Proust, the French writer.
