From the first time I met Trish at an AORN event she welcomed you with a hug and her warm smile. We will all miss her knowledge and how she made all patients, family and friends feel they were part of her extended family. Rest In Peace Trish for a life well lived.


Trish was one of my closest college friends.  We bonded over bridge in Alumnae's smoker.   She invited me to her debut in Longmeadow that freshman year, we toured the White House as soon as tours resumed after President Kennedy's death when the devastated young tour leader kept saying "President Kennedy" instead of "President Johnson,"  & we spent many companionable hours in the Thomas Jefferson Reading Room researching papers for Sister Mary's history classes.  
Husbands & family considerations took us apart & we didn't meet that often after graduation & marriage, but I still treasure our long involved discussions about the world & our place in it at a time when we still believed we could solve virtually all of its problems.   Peace be with you, dear Friend.    

My heart is heavy having just learned that our dear friend, Trish, has passed away.  Trish leaves a rich legacy of a life well-lived.  We enjoyed having her join us as a regular attendee of our CWN luncheons, and she will always be remembered fondly by the young women who use the individual  work stations she so generously sponsored.  
May those who loved her be comforted by sweet memories and remembering her beautiful smile.  Rest in peace, Trish. 

When I was learning to be an open heart nurse 20 years ago, studied Trish Seifert's Cardiac Surgery (still have my old copy). I read her articles, followed her career and when I first met her at AORN, she greeted me like an old friend. And did so every time we met in the years following. She was a great woman who's impact on cardiac surgery cannot be measured. May she rest in well deserved peace. 

Trish was special.  You could name any subject and she was conversant in it.  I think I'm a better person for knowing her.  She was a gift to this world and to this most unworthy admirer of her wisdom.  I am undone.

I worked with Trish for many years and always considered her a fantastic colleague.  She helped me during the editing process for my submission for publication.   I will be forever grateful for her professionalism. 

Trish was a mentor to me very early on in my career as a manager . I will never forget her down to earth leadership style and kindness to me . She was a passionate pioneer as a cardiac professional and will be missed by all . My condolences to her family but know that she was a truly special person , Sandra Lubinsky 

Trish inspired!  
I am but one of legions of nurses who found her knowledge, her writing, her personality and example compelling.  Our paths did not cross often, but her impact and storied career touched mine.  Indelibly.

May our God continue to bless and strengthen you.

A picture from Bob & Janet's 50th wedding anniversary

We were all lucky to have Trish as a part of our lives, and were moved by the many tributes her friends and colleagues have shared.  

Trish was such an incredible person, teacher, and friend!  I have fond memories of all the surgical cases we worked on at Inova Fairfax!  She was always willing to share her knowledge along with her infectious smile and laugh!  Praying for strength her family!  

Ken and Colleen Huelskamp

Trish gave of herself to others unconditionally, when I was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing, Trish was there to support me, honor me and recognize my accomplishments, I will never forget her selfless acts on kindness and expressions of love to others, even those she did not know well. The world was a better place with her in it and the countless people who she touched were blessed knowing her. I will miss her and her beautiful spirit, my deepest sympathy to her family and all of those who knew and loved her.

Trish was an absolute rockstar in the nursing community.  She was a modern day Florence Nightingale with how much she did to further advance the profession.   I am so thankful for all of the support and encouragement she showed my nursing students over the years.   I am honored to have known her.


Trish was such an inspiration to so many people—Perioperative nurses, colleagues, friends. She was such a warm and positive person. She contributed so much to the profession—her nursing care, her leadership, her publications. And she loved her family. She never failed to mention her family. She will be missed.

Trish touched countless life’s. I had the wonderful opportunity to serve on the AORN board of directors with her. During my presidency she was president elect. She was a colleague but she was also a friend. 
Here’s to a life well lived that touched others in beautiful ways. She shared her wisdom and lived life to it fullest. Those we love live on always. My sincere sympathies to her family

Ruth Plotkin Shumaker 

I met Trish walking into the first-time expo breakfast; I stayed close to her and watched her passion and compassion for everyone at my table - I wanted to be just like her. Throughout the years, she supported and encouraged my trajectory in my career, schooling, and volunteer work and eventual employment at AORN. Her smile and clear, calm voice in the chaos were both inspiration and determination to become a woman that others could trust to take care of situation. I am so grateful for her and the friendship she offered to anyone, including me. - Mary Alice

Trish had a beautiful gift of bringing light to a room by making every person she encountered feel genuinely special. I have so much gratitude for Trish--without her steadfast encouragement I would likely never have become a perioperative nurse. Trish, thank you for your mentorship, support, and friendship over the years. Your legacy and passion will live on through the countless nurses whose lives you have touched! May you rest in eternal peace.

An incredible leader and mentor for so many, Trish’s commitment to the safe care of surgical patients inspired numerous practice and policy changes in the perioperative setting. As past-president of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses and former editor-in-chief of AORN Journal, Trish was known to her colleagues as a successful risk-taker who was an early pioneer in the RN first-assistant role, introducing innovative staffing and forging new paths for perioperative nurses to bridge clinical and academic pursuits. The Association of periOperative Registered Nurses will be eternally grateful for her dedication to our members, our profession, and to the countless patients who will never know her, but will continue to benefit from her wisdom and passion for safe patient care.
Linda Groah CEO AORN
Friends and Colleagues of AORN

Trish was a true icon in nursing! She was such a wonderful leader not only in the perioperative nursing area but also throughout Inova. I feel so privileged to have known and worked with Trish. We were planning to write an article about what retired nurse volunteers can offer the nursing profession. We both were so busy with other projects we never wrote it thinking we would get to it ... Trish I am counting on you to help from heaven! You are so missed!!

Trish was a true legend in nursing. 
She was such a beautiful person as well as an exceptional nurse,  leader, mentor, educator, scholar, editor, author, writer and friend.
Her passing will leave a hole in the hearts of many.


Trish my my INOVA nursing friend. Trish was not only an exemplary nurse, she was also a role model for how woman can support each other. I will miss her enormous smile and kind heart. 
Natalie Bush

Trish gave the best hugs.

I’ll never forget the first time I met her, new to the preoperative world and not knowing where to start. She was intimidating, in the best way, -and her passion made you feel curious and comfortable. The spunky lady with the brightest outfit and fun glasses welcomed me to the observation OR in Fairfax with a hug.

I never felt silly asking her questions or for advice. She was quite literally someone I could always count on - to speak in a session where someone had to back out last minute, work with vendors to put together our hybrid OR (which had never been done), to lead our first time attendee session and give new leaders a place to call home. There was nothing that Trish wouldn’t do to give back to her community.

The world lost a bright, bright light with Trish’s passing and it really breaks my heart. I know she’s left behind many loved ones who she talked about often and with such adoration, and I pray you’re able to find comfort in knowing what an incredible person Trish was; a true hero who has left quite a legacy in so many ways.

I’ll miss and think of her often ❤️

Zach and Devan’s wedding in June 2021 was a beautiful day for our entire family. We are so blessed that Mom was here to celebrate with us and she was the “life of the party”.  😇

Mom was so very proud of Alex for working so hard to graduate from George Mason in December 2021.  She was Alex’s biggest cheerleader and when he felt like this day would never come…she would cheer him on some more. Thank you Mom for pushing all of us to succeed in our goals and strive to be better!
We love you,
Your Seifert/Leighty Family

An admired mentor and leader of perioperative nursing, Pat will be missed in our professional world. My prayers are with you for comfort as you experience this loss. 

I want to express my gratitude to Trish for her years of clinical service to the many patients she served as well as those who prove surgical care to countless people. Personally, she taught me and mentored me personally for most of my career. I even had the pleasure of being her Director at Inova! Her service to our professional organization impacted the world of peri operative care! Rest In Peace my friend. 

Trish was a hero among nurses. Her dedication and knowledge were unparalleled. She will be greatly missed for her enthusiasm, candor, and inspiration. I will miss you, Trish. Rest in peace for a job well done.
Kay Ball

OBITUARY

Patricia Clark Seifert

April 4, 1945 – April 19, 2022

Murphy Funeral Homes

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services