Peninsula Women's Chorus - Memories of Patty

Memories of Patty

The following page is a forum where everyone whose life has been touched by Patty can share their thoughts and memories.

If you would like to contribute, please follow this link.

I woke up this morning with a vivid dream of being a little girl again, playing with Kristin, with Patty standing nearby supervising. I think about Patty often; what a wonderful environment she cultivated for me and Kristin when we were little kids. Kristin, I'm sorry we've fallen out of touch. I think about you and your family often and I'm so sorry for your loss. If you read this, and you're so inclined, drop me an email. It would be really nice to talk to you again.
Adele Wilson <adele@uchicago.edu>
Chicago, IL - Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 10:54:51 (PDT)

Ms. Hennings was like my second mom, but mostly I considered her to be one of my dearest of friends. I remember one time in my life when I had sunk to the depths of depression and I called her collect, she listened to me, even with her busy schedule she made time for me. That's the way she made us feel important. I know she is in the very presense with God, and I will see her again someday! BLess all who read this with love, good music, art.and creative idea, love always, Michael
michael j. crummer <mikecrum_advo_consortium@yahoo.com>
martinez,, ca. u.s. - Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 19:27:17 (PDT)

Today I found this web page, after the two years since our great loss, so forgive the tardy response. Patty and I met after her matenity leave. She returned to class and I was not digging this. But she sat next to me and sang, sharing my music, and she liked my voice, we became friends. The next two years I sang for her Tuesday Night choir, as well as her M.W.and F, smaller day choirs, and her Jazz choir. Those were very exciting times, full orchestras, and live jazz ansembles, accapella, all walks of life churches, catherals, and the composers who sat in the audiance, and witness the styles and complexities of their own pieces, being performed by some of the best heavenly voices this side of heaven. I miss her very much, and will always have a place in my heart for her memory, thank you Peninsula Women's Choir for keeping the wonderful memeory of "Patty" alive. bobbi one of many altos at Skyline College.
roberta crawford-refoua <crawfordbobbi@yahoo.com>
concord, ca usa - Friday, July 23, 2004 at 19:19:23 (PDT)

I came to know Patty through a humanities class I took at Skyline College in the mid 90's. Over the course of the class, we found out we shared the same birthday, and grew up only a few miles from one another in Southern California. I enjoyed the class so much, I decided to join the Skyline College Choir. My husband,Dave, who has a Master of Church Music, also joined. Eventually, our son, Jeff, joined the choir and our other son Joel, helped out as usher, page turner, and general gofer at several of our concerts. Patty touched our whole family, and we will never forget her zest for life, even in spite of her illness. She taught me what beautiful music the human voice can make. Even though our family is now many miles away, we remember with great fondness our time spent with Patty and the music we were able to make together.
Monica Kirk <mrkirk@nj.rr.com>
Edgewater, NJ USA - Wednesday, July 17, 2002 at 13:08:33 (PDT)

As a member of the Skyline Choir I got to be part of Patty's life and choir when we performed Carmina Burana one spring in the 1990's. Now many years later and far from California I have learned that Patty has passed. I will always remember Patty for helping me to believe in my talent, encouraging all of us, and how much love she had for the lovely and compelling sound of a choir. Her love and devotion for music and people was so obvious it radiated from her being. She was a warm person and you felt that she had true honesty and genuineness about her, you knew she spoke the truth. Her smile during rehearsals kept us all going and encouraged us to keep striving for a better choir and more approving smiles. God bless Patty for her contribution here on earth with those of us lucky to have known her. I know she is still smiling up above.
Jennifer Riano Goez <jriano@yahoo.com>
Freeport, NY USA - Tuesday, July 16, 2002 at 08:13:58 (PDT)

I had the great privilege of singing with the PWC in 1995-1996. At that time I was in the midst of a severe, disabling depression and although I have always loved singing, making myself go out to rehearsals and perfomances took extraordinary effort. Patty may not have known my exact situarion, but she was incredibly encouraging and supportive every time I spoke with her. Singing under her leadership was a wonderful experience, both as a musician and as a person. I remember Patty with fondness and joy in having known her, and deeply regret that I never told her just how much it meant to me to know her and work with her.
Susan Meikle
- Friday, February 01, 2002 at 07:32:24 (PST)

I had the great privilege of singing in the First United Methodist Church girls choir under Patty's direction. She created an atmosphere of fun, and inspired us to sing our hearts out. A favorite memory is the day she introduced us to her first-born, gently cradling the little bundle, her eyes shining with love. Years later, upon college graduation, my friends and I traveled across Great Britain with a stop at a family home in rural Wales. After a rainy day hike to the top of the local peak and marveling at the lush valley below, we ran back changed into dry clothes grabbed mugs of hot cocoa and settled in front of the tiny black and white TV. The first image to appear on screen? Patty, conducting her choir, in what proved to be a live broadcast of a music festival taking place just up the road. There, in that little hundreds -years-old house built aside a Roman road, my choir director, leading her group in song, creating the perfect end to a perfect day. She is greatly missed, she will never be forgot.
Ann Reinhart <picpen@earthlink.net>
Los Angeles, CA - Monday, January 28, 2002 at 13:58:14 (PST)

Patty, or "Captain", as we called her back when I sang with her at Skyline as well as PWC, gave me back my life. She introduced me to her passion and love of life and the joys of music. I began singing with her at a time when I had nothing but sorrow in my life, she shared with me her kindness, patience, love, understanding and joy. I know my life, as well as my 2 childrens lives will forever be blessed for having known her. I will always love you Patty. LYBBW-Diane Austin
Diane Austin <dianeaustin57@yahoo.com>
Livermore, CA USA - Sunday, January 20, 2002 at 18:56:59 (PST)

I was a member of the Peninsula Women's Chorus for over 18 years. I first met Patty in 1971 when I started singing in the Chancel Choir at the Palo Alto First United Methodist Church. We were both second altos and sat next to each other in rehearsals and sang next to each other on Sunday mornings. In the Fall of 1980 she said that if I would like to, I could join her Women's Chorus as she needed second altos. I jumped at the chance and thus began the most incredible journey of my life. I had sung in many choirs in High School, college and church choirs, but had never been priviledged to sing with such an incredible conductor. I soon found out that it was going to be almost impossible to sing for anyone else after I had sung in a choir with Patty direting? She was an insiration. She cared about each one of us in the chorus. She would not settle for any less than the best from each of her singers. She knew how to inspire us to produce our best even if at times we didn't think we could do it. She rehearsed us and rehearsed us and she knew that we would do just fine during performances. On a particularly hard piece Patty would mouth last minute instructions and encouragement and we were off and singing to be rewarded with a big smile when we finished. Retreats, Choir tours, Choral Festivals, memorial services, singing on airplanes while in flight, singing on buses, impromptu concerts in many European churches and cathedrals - all amazing experiences created by and under the direction of Patty. I regretfully had to retire from the choir in 1998 due to health issues, but I still feel a part of the large community of singers that PWC is. There are so many wonderful memories of Patty. I am having a very hard time realizing that she is no longer here on earth with us. But I know that by now she has already selected her angel choir, has set up a rehearsal schedule, placed the angels in sections, run the blending exercise, and has selected the program. I am sure that we will be hearing the Angel Choir in performance soon. I will miss her smile, her dancing eyes, her boundless energy, her sense of humor, her deep caring for each person in her choirs. It was an honor to have had the priviledge to have know her.
Betsy Scroggs <Scroggs_betsy@gsb.stanford.edu>
Stanford, CA USA - Sunday, January 20, 2002 at 09:19:48 (PST)

Though I never saw the PWC in concert, I discovered the PWC website as a link to an offshoot of the Pasadena Arts Council site. When I clicked on, I was impressed by all the written tributes to Patty. After my own career singing off and on in choirs, as I read them, I felt the loss of someone I wished I had sung with, or been directed by. I can feel your loss, (having also lost my performing arts brother to cancer a year ago.) There is a very moving selection on Rod McKuen and Anita Kerr's trilogy album THE SKY, entitled "Walk With The Angels," which features a heavenly women's choir. I have always wished I could put that selection to use somewhere. Since I, by accident, discovered Patty's eulogies on this, the day of her memorial service, maybe you could imagine her conducting that particular angelic chorus right now, even as you read this. Maybe that can be my contribution to someone I just met about an hour ago, and wished I had known, yet feel as though I do know her, in a way.
TIM MELLIN <TIMCONSULT@SKYBIZ.COM>
Los Angeles, CALIF USA - Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 20:11:31 (PST)

I was never in PWC, though I attended several concerts. Patty encouraged all of us in theSkyline chorus to attend, and they were consistantly uplifting -- I remember in particular the Song of Survival concert that the camp survivors themselves attended. What an inspiration! I was in Patty's first choir at Skyline, while I was still a high school student. We called her "Cap'n Pat" (which I think she didn't like very much.) There were just 3 altos at first, and Patty drummed the Pinkham Christmas cantata into our heads by singing the alto line at us week after week. Ten years later when I left, the choir was a thriving institution at the school. We sang everything, from Bach to Mecham, and Gilbert & Sullivan to Menotti -- with orchestra! I can picture her so clearly, head tilted back, arms raised, fingers curved to conduct us. The look of determination that pulled us through the "iffy" parts of a piece, the wide grin at the finish were all Patty. When I think of her, that is the Patty I see. My deep appreciation for her talent and enthusiasm and heart is as strong now as if I was still singing at Skyline every week. I am just one — I am sure she touched thousands more like me. It was an honor and a delight to sing for her..
Kathryn Quickert <itskq@earthlink.net>
San Bruno, CA - Saturday, January 19, 2002 at 00:51:57 (PST)

I sang with PWC for 5 years in the late 1980's. I had always sung in choirs, in high school, college and then in several as an adult, and enjoyed them all. But I had never experienced the joy I felt in singing for Patty. Her focus on expressing the feeling of the music, along with her high expectations of us technically, and her genuine caring about each of us as individuals were an incredible combination. Personally, she encouraged me to sing my first solo, terrified though I was! That was a breakthrough experience for the shy, hidden one I had felt myself to be before. We were also neighbors, and after awhile, began to walk and jog together in the mornings. I will always cherish the memories of our walks and talks. I told her that now when I hear the angels singing, I'll know who's conducting. She was a bright light here and I know she's a bright light wherever she is now.
Irene Stratton
Sebastopol, CA - Friday, January 18, 2002 at 22:12:22 (PST)

I joined the chorus in 1976, when my younger child was two. It was always a challenge to get to rehearsals on Monday evenings after getting the children fed, bathed, and ready for bed. I would arrive tired. By the end of the evening, I felt like a different person. Patty's enthusiasm, the beauty of the music, the support of the other women, and the deep breathing resulted in a feeling of exhilaration that often made it difficult to sleep after returning home. We all grew as the chorus grew. Patty made sure that we were always challenged. Many times we thought to ourselves that we did not deserve the confidence she had in us -- that maybe this time, we really had bitten off more than we could chew. But with the incredible support she gave us, we always rose to the occasion. Patty's energy inspired confidence in us. For me, leaving the Bay Area to move to Arizona in 1994 was really wrenching. I had 18 years with the chorus. There will always be a hole in my life that nothing else can replace, and a pride that I was able to be a part of such an outstanding group.
Mary Jo Cox <mjcox1@mindspring.com>
Hereford, AZ - Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 19:39:43 (PST)

Patty and I were in the graduate program at Stanford together. I remember laughter and hard work and Friday volleyball games. Together she and I started the Stanford Women's Chorus to perform the women's choral music I had grown to love in high school and college and to have more time to conduct (and sing). I have always valued her friendship, her faith and her joy, though I have not stayed in touch well. I have been so thrilled at what she has been able to do for women's choral music. I will miss her.
Linda Baker Pineo
- Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 13:53:21 (PST)

I have 28 yrs. with the Chorus and the last 0nes were with Patty. In fact I was on the committee that selected her as our Director. She was so full of energy! And such a joy to sing for her. I was the Coordinator for many years under her direction and we had such a good time talking about all the possibilities. However we all knew that we would eventually do what Patty wanted to do and that was fine with us. She was always so calm, it always amazed me how she expected things to come out alright and they did. I learned so much about singing and being part of a group. I shall miss her terribly and I shall miss especially our phone conversations long distance where I would be able to talk over what we were singing in my choral group in Va. She was such a wonderful person and had such a dynamic personality. Her musicality was superb! I was blessed that I was able to get back to Calif. to see her in her last week. I have some pictures which I am trying to get to you all. Thanks for letting me share with you my thoughts and memories
Lorraine Hultquist <singlor@shentel.net>
Front Royal, Va. usa - Monday, January 14, 2002 at 16:04:25 (PST)

I was so fortunate to be able to sing with the chorus for five years (1982-1987). I appreciated Patti's striving for excellence as we reheased, her warmth and humor, and boundless creative energy. She cared deeply about the choir learning to work as a team in rehearsals and concerts. Patti also truly cared about every member of her choirs. I continue to feast on the bright memories of the music we expressed together and Patti's encouraging and radiant smile. She brought to us a little bit of heaven.
Anne Cunnyngham Russell <acrstudio@earthlink.net>
- Saturday, January 12, 2002 at 21:07:21 (PST)

I sang with PWC a short time, but have been an enthusiastic audience member for years. PWC performances always touched my heart, because, in every rehearsal, Patty developed the feeling of the music as much as she insisted on mastery of the technical details. By performance time, every chorus member was fully prepared to sing from her heart as well as her head. Patty's eyes and flying fingers evoked the spirit of the music, and the chorus amplified it for the audience.
Cathy Anderson <caa@kscable.com>
Newton, KS USA - Friday, January 11, 2002 at 11:44:02 (PST)

Patty taught me many things in the short time I knew her. She taught me about music but more she taught about the importance of caring, trusting and believing in life. When she told me her cancer had returned, I asked her just how I would sing at that evening's concert. She answered me with words I'll never forget. "Sing with great joy", she said. She did everything with great joy and now she was giving me one more gift to take with me. I always parted from her feeling as though I knew something I didn't know before.
Kyle
- Friday, January 11, 2002 at 07:48:48 (PST)

It's impossible to write just a few lines to capture the memory of Patty, and almost impossible to believe that her talent and personality and excellence and passion and seemingly-boundless ENERGY are gone. We've always known Patty was a world class director, but now she's graduated to be universal class; I figure she directs the angels now. Nobody could do it better.
Mary Ellen Foley <SecretMEF@aol.com>
Guildford, SY UK - Thursday, January 10, 2002 at 15:42:35 (PST)

Patty's Scrapbook
Peninsula Women's Chorus Homepage