Patsy R. Woods

Pat lived a life focused on the needs of others, especially for the members of her large extended family. She was a devoted caregiver to her husband, Robert E. Woods, and missed him greatly after his passing. She loved being a part of the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, all of which felt her love and experienced a positive impact on their lives from a remarkable person.

Pat was born in Arkansas in 1933. As a foster child, Pat picked cotton in fields, performed odd jobs, and moved from state to state and home to home as she grew up. While Pat’s difficult childhood most certainly impacted her life, she was able to overcome these challenges and accomplish much during her life.

Pat began her government career in 1952 as a Clerk Typist at Fort Benning, Georgia. She continued to work while raising her family, changing locations as her husband’s job led to moves to Kansas, California, then Mississippi, before ultimately settling in Titusville, Florida.

In Titusville, Pat became a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating a SCUBA dive shop in Titusville, Florida from 1969 -1972. In addition to working full time, Pat served on several committees within the community, including the Titusville Theatre Group, the North Brevard Development Committee, and the Titusville Chamber of Commerce. Pat introduced her family to the theatre, where Pat, her husband, daughter, and son enjoyed a short and rather forgettable career in acting.

In 1972 Pat returned to government service, joining NASA, where she started out as a Compensation Claims Clerk at the Kennedy Space Center in the Safety Office. She began coursework at the Brevard Community College. From there she gained additional responsibilities that included becoming one of the only women in the Shuttle Payload teams in the 1980s. In 1985, at age 52, she graduated from the University of Alabama with a bachelor’s in science degree.

Pat worked on major safety investigations at NASA, and for six years preceding retirement she was the Shuttle Payload Lead of Pad B, responsible for operational readiness of the payload Changeout Room. Pat was the first female Safety Engineer at NASA to give a “go” for launch, with first female flight crew member Sally Ride aboard the shuttle. She retired in January 1993.

Pat married Robert E. Woods, also from Titusville, Florida, in 1993. Pat and Robert were happily married for 17 years before Bob’s death in March 2010. Pat often described these years as the happiest years of her life.

Through living by example, Pat demonstrated the value of hard work and never giving up. Pat strongly advocated for education and financially supported as much as possible the education of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most importantly, Pat deeply loved her family, and while she had little in the way of family while growing up, she cherished the members of her own family she collected on her way through life. Pat also cherished her life-long friendships, including her friendship with Ann and John Chadwick. Pat felt especially blessed to have so many friends that enriched her life.

Pat moved from Titusville to Westminster Towers in Orlando in 2019. She enjoyed the friendship and love of many within the Westminster community. Her family is hesitant to name individuals over fear of accidentally leaving someone out. Her family is immensely grateful for the love and caring provided to Pat late in life by her Westminster friends and family, as well as her caregivers from Westminster, Right At Home, and Cornerstone Hospice. She was provided love, dignity, and safety through difficult times, and her family are grateful for the care, love and kindness provided, especially by her aides who made her last days safe and meaningful.

Pat is survived by two children, Penny (Cee, Orlando) and Michael (Carolyn, Philadelphia), three stepchildren (Lynda and Susan living in Titusville, Leonard deceased), 8 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Pat’s life will be celebrated at a memorial service on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 10 AM. The service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, located at 415 East Athens Avenue in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. For those who cannot join in person the service will be available via

https://www.youtube.com/c/StPaulsLutheranChurchArdmore.

Our mother, friend, loved one will be missed.