Patricia Anne Roorda

Patricia Anne Roorda, 72, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at her daughter's home in West Des Moines, IA.

Pat was born on August 26, 1950 in South Bend, IN to the late Willis and Dolores (Pabst) Roorda. She received a BS in Education with highest distinction in 1972 from Indiana University - South Bend, and an MA in English in 1979 from Indiana University - Bloomington. She taught high school English in Dalton, Georgia for several years while working towards a PhD from the University of Georgia.

Pat's passion was needlework and literature. In her later life, she was honored to participate with a group of more than 250 embroiderers through 2007 to 2009 in stitching a reproduction early 17th century women's jacket at Plimoth Patuxet, Massachusetts that was later exhibited at the Winterthur museum in Delaware (Plimoth Jacket Project: A Paradise of Silk and Gold). She also took postgraduate classes in 2010-11 in the arts through the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London.

Pat is survived by two daughters, Amber Adamczyk (Matt) and Chelsea Enright; and her sister Penny Gillis.

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry –

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll –

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears the Human Soul –

-Emily Dickinson