Patricia Kelly Surrick
Patricia Kelly Surrick, of Media, died on January 12, surrounded by her loving family, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 81.
Born in Flushing, New York, Patricia was the second of Eleanor and Clifford Kelly’s three children, and their only daughter. She grew up on the water in Bay Shore, Long Island, climbing trees and catching snakes with her older brother Cliff, reading voraciously, listening to Yankees games with her father, and looking out for her younger brother Billy when he arrived nearly a decade after her.
Patricia made the fateful decision to attend Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where a slightly rakish fellow student, a college athlete named Barc, spotted her walking across campus and went on a mission to learn her name. Luck led to a chance encounter soon after, and they have been together ever since, having married on August 13, 1961. A move to Delaware County following Barc’s graduation from law school brought with it a switch in Patricia’s allegiance from the Yankees to the Phillies — a loyalty that never wavered, regardless of wins and losses.
You would be hard pressed to find a bigger sports fan than Patricia, or someone who drew more joy from her garden. She cherished her time in the Providence Garden Club and the friendships she gained through it. She also loved old movies, big-band music, Agatha Christie mysteries, and animals of every variety. (Her Labrador, Clementine, and innumerable woodland creatures are among those who grieve her loss.)
Patricia and Barc raised their children in a home filled with humor, warmth, love, and frequent grammatical corrections. An English teacher by trade and temperament, Patricia believed there was never a bad time to expound on the appropriate use of “lie” and “lay.” Generations of students at Henderson High School, the Swarthmore Academy, and finally the Concept School learned lessons about grammar, literature, and the charm of not taking oneself too seriously in Patricia’s classes.
From her contagious smile to her sprawling English gardens, Patricia made the world a more beautiful place. The very definition of grace, she had excellent comedic timing and loved to laugh, especially at herself. These qualities endeared Patricia to virtually everyone she met, and her numerous friends adored her for her light-heartedness and wit. Above all else, Patricia was kind and compassionate, with a resolute commitment to justice and a remarkable inner strength.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, the Honorable R. Barclay Surrick; her children, Kelly (Jeff Edwards), Maryann (Scott Popma), and Barclay; and her grandsons Benjamin and William Popma.
Patricia’s family will hold a celebration of her life later this year. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be sent to The Concept School, 1120 Street Road, Westtown Township, PA 19395.
