Patricia Charlotte Rolfe

Preceded in death by

Parents Archie & Helen Potter

Husband Fred Rolfe

Sister of Penny Fritz (Hugh) & Pam Thomas (Floyd)

Mother of Terri Lawrence (Steve), David Rolfe (Stacy) & Steven Rolfe (Missy)

Grandmother of:

Gregory Lawrence (Andrea), Stephanie Abernatha (Christian), Stacey Pezzelle (Joel), Spencer Rolfe (Alison), Belle Oberg (Mason), Oliver Rolfe (Marie), Sydney Haug (Craig) & Joshua Rolfe (Kate)

Great Grandmother of:

Carson & Kailey Lawrence, Shaylee, Makynlee & Brynnlee Abernatha, August & Sheperd Pezzelle, Harrison Rolfe, Harper Haug, Parker Rolfe & Vivienne Oberg.

Pat retired after 17 years of distinguished service as Director of Operations and Facilities Manager to Washington University in both the Olin School of Business & the Law School. Prior to that Pat worked as executive secretary to the president of Chemtech Corporation.

She also was employed by St. Louis area companies such as McDonnell Douglas, Wagner Electric and even Steak n Shake. Pat LOVED her work and her career gave her much purpose and pride. I’m sure you’ve all enjoyed many, many stories from these days in her life.

Pat or “Patty Potter,” as she was known around campus, graduated from Ritenour High School in Overland, where she was well-known around campus as an all-around athlete competing in field hockey, track & field, softball and basketball. She was on the cheerleading squad and often reminded us back in the day it was for anyone with a loud mouth, no tumbling involved. She also told us many times she had to instruct the squad when to cheer for offense or defense correctly. She played piano, sang in the school choirs and was involved in anything happening on campus. It helped that her family lived 3 doors down from Ritenour High School.

Pat met her husband Fred while they both worked at Wagner Electric. They were married in 1958 and began their family when Terri was born in 1960, followed by Dave in 1961 and Steve or “Steven” as she always called him, in 1966. I remember hearing stories of how proud she was when their first home was built in Dellwood – North County. She said after bills were paid they had 25 cents leftover each month.

She not only wanted to contribute to the family income, she was determined that all 3 of her children would graduate from college – something she always had wanted to do herself, but her family could not afford coming out of the Depression years. Pat was ahead of her time and was the only working mom in the neighborhood. She graduated from secretarial school and began working after Dave was born. She and Fred accomplished that dream with Terri graduating from William Jewell College , followed by Dave from UMSL and Steve from Southwest Missouri State University. Pat was also very proud that all 8 of her grandchildren graduated from colleges and universities, especially her youngest grandson, Oliver, who just graduated Law School from St. Louis University – that was definitely her favorite one! She told everyone “we have a lawyer in the family.”

Pat loved to travel, but Fred not so much, unless there was golf or gambling involved. The family vacationed many years to a family resort in Lesterville, MO called Black River Lodge. There Pat and Fred made many lasting friendships, as friends always booked the same week together. Being the consummate competitor, Pat was always in the finals of the mixed double tennis tournaments there, as well as the bridge tournaments. She managed to get Fred to take many trips to Vegas, as well as, Hawaii and Australia – assuring him her could play golf while she shopped. In more recent years, Pat travels were closer to home, where she enjoyed visits to Perryville to play bridge with her sister, Penny and brother-in-law, Hugh.

Three years ago, Terri and I were able to take Pat to D.C. and Virginia to visit her niece Marilyn, who would tell anyone she was Pat’s favorite. Pat enjoyed the museums in D.C and especially old Williamsburg.

Pat loved solving problems whether it was managing two extensive Wash U construction projects for the Business & Law Schools or rehabbing her own house, after her second retirement. She emersed herself for many years in family history and geneology. She published a Potter Family History and printed many, many notebooks full of research for family and friends. Pat assembled several, very detailed scrapbook albums containing letters and photos from her uncles, serving in WW2, written to her mom. There was always a puzzle out on Pat’s dining room table and visitors often sat and worked puzzles with Pat. She was an avid reader of mysteries and loved working in her garden. The family had quite the battles getting her to stop mowing her yard and hauling bags of mulch when Pat was in her early 80s.

Pat also wasn’t afraid to step up and take charge of projects. She kept the neighborhood database of phone numbers and addresses and would knock on every door once a year or if new homeowners moved in, asking for any updates. She chaired several Ritenour class reunions and kept everyone updated with personal messages of classmates passings.

Many of the grandkids’ fondest memories are of Grandma Pat taking them shopping on their birthdays and at Christmas. She carried on a long tradition in her family of gathering on Christmas Eve, like she and her family had done with her mother and grandmother, since she was a child. In fact, her “Grandma Collett” was born on Christmas Eve. She included her beloved neighbors for over 40 years and we all gathered every Christmas Eve for dinner at an elaborate dining room table set up and presents piled high around the tree. It was quite the task to pick just the right gifts for 8 grandchildren, their spouses and her 11 great-grandchildren but she loved every minute of it. Christmas was a very big deal and we are all so very thankful she was able to enjoy this last Christmas with her family.

Pat made her heavenly journey, after a sudden decline and 3 days of hospice on January 2, in our home, peacefully in her sleep. She was able to say goodbye to Terri, Dave & Steve, as well as her sister Penny, Niece Marilyn and several grandchildren. It was a beautiful ending to a life well-lived.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Forget Me Not Adult Day Services, St. Peters, Missouri.