Rev. Patricia B. Jelinek

Pat was born on June 6, 1929 in Oneonta NY to Frank and Beulah (Wilson) Boyd. She was educated at Oneonta High School, Syracuse University (BA 1951) and Wesley Theological Seminary (M.R.Ed 1973, M.Div 1980). During her ministry she served United Methodist churches in Syracuse, Elmira, and Jamesville, NY and several other Upper New York churches as interim pastor in retirement. She was the first woman to serve as the Superintendent of the Seven Valleys District in the North Central NY Conference, and she also served as Assistant to the Bishop, chair of the Upper NY Annual Conference, and on numerous Conference committees. She remained active throughout her life in church activities and in the Syracuse University Alumni Association.

She wed Dr. Robert V. Jelinek of Syracuse, NY on June 11, 1955 and they enjoyed 44 years of marriage together until his passing. A devoted fan of Syracuse University basketball, she also delighted in Cape Cod sunsets and lobster rolls, traveling, music, reading, gardening, the fellowship of her many friends, and the faithful companionship of her dogs.

She is survived by her sons and their wives, Bob and Jenny Jelinek of Englewood, CO, Steve Jelinek and Betsy Wisch of Stow, MA, and Pete and Carol Jelinek of Brewster, MA, along with her grandchildren Lizzy, Susie, Caleb, Nicholas, Noah and Nathan and great-grandson Oliver.

She will be greatly missed by her family, her close friends, and by the many people whose lives she touched over the years.

Memorial contributions in her name may be made to the Robert V. Jelinek Scholarship Fund at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse or the Wesley Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund.