Columbia, S.C. - Dr. Patricia Senn Breivik, 79, of Columba went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus on September 15, 2018. Born on August 17, 1939, in Pittsburgh, PA, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Leona Senn. Dr. Breivik served 38 years as an academic administrator at various universities. Her last academic post was as the Dean of the San Jose State University Library where in collaboration with the San Jose Public Library, The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library (a combined academic/city library) was created to meet the lifelong learning needs of the community.
Dr. Breivik held a B.A. from Brooklyn College, an M.L.S. from Pratt Institute, and a D.L.S. from Columbia University. Among other associations, she served as Chair of the National Forum on Information Literacy and President of the Association of College & Research Libraries. In all of her associations, Dr. Breivik was honored and valued as a gifted leader and respected colleague.
Her many book publications include Information Literacy: Revolution in the Library, Student Learning in the Information Age, and Information Literacy: Educating Children for the 21st Century. She also wrote over 40 periodical articles and book chapters. In addition to scores of speaking engagements in the United States, Dr. Breivik was a sought-after speaker throughout the world including Ireland, Mexico, Iceland, Germany, Finland, Australia, and Puerto Rico.
After her retirement in 2005, she moved to Columbia, SC, to live near her beloved family and to serve as Vice President of her son’s company, Nehemiah Communications. She also was an active member of the Northeast Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her son, Kenneth Breivik, his wife Penni and their sons, Luke and Matthew; her two sisters Joyce Senn and Dr. Shirl Schiffman; and five cousins. Patricia was preceded in death by her husband Dr. John Philip Cummer.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 25, at Northeast Presbyterian Church, 601 Polo Rd, Columbia, with Dr. George Crow, III officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to School Ministries, 101 Rice Bent Way #6, Columbia, SC 29229.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18