Pat was one of our longest-serving members of staff, having managed and worked in several teams across the University, before finally becoming Assessment and Regulations Manager in Academic Registry. She also combined her career with raising her family and achieving her Business degree with us.

 

Pat had an unwavering support for this University and all its aims.  She was passionate about the benefits that higher education could bring, as she herself could demonstrate.  This support and passion was combined with honesty and integrity, and often forthright views on the quality of services and support we should provide.  She never lost that energy or zeal.  

 

During her career, Pat had been an incredible support, guide, and mentor to many staff, both past and present.  Her more recent work supporting assessment, the Scheme Board and changes to our academic regulations gained her even more respect and admiration from others, including external examiners and our University partners.  Her death is a great loss to everyone who worked with her.  

 

Personally, I enjoyed working with Pat immensely.  Her ability to challenge, be open to new ideas and look at existing processes afresh made her a pleasure to work with. I will miss her greatly. I recall our very first meeting when the first thing she said was that she intended to retire in 3 ½ years!  I used to tease her by saying "But Mrs Pat, it's been a year since you said that, and you're still retiring in 3 1/2 years!"  She'd then give me one of those looks. You know the one!

She was a source of good advice and useful intelligence for a newly arrived Academic Registrar and this one appreciated that very much!

 

For Pat, the University was also a family affair, and I send, on behalf of everyone at the University, our deepest and sincerest condolences to Laura and Nish and all their family.  Pat was a proud and loving mother, and grandmother and much, much more.   

 

Pat has left us an example to follow and that will be her lasting legacy to us all.

 

Jo Coward, Academic Registrar

Yet the life and soul of many a party she’d be at

Straight talking through and through

Yet a friendly ear you could always go to

Her commitment and tenacity knew no bounds

A supportive friend to always be around

A major part of Luton Uni and UoB

The oracle of the University

The Hemsworth brothers on her office wall of phwoar

Along with many a heartthrob she’d adore

A Harry Potter fan, she rode the Hogwarts Express

Her love for her cats, who never failed to impress

Many a time spent with the WI ladies

Lifelong friends with many fun stories

Her 10p dress made in the eighties

Nights out, days out and many drinkies

Not just a colleague, not just a friend

More than a friendly ear to lend

Pat was a special daughter, sister and aunty

A gran, a wife and a friend to many

 

More importantly Pat was a fantastic mum

The bond with her girls is second to none

With so many special memories made

A life to cherish as the pictures cascade

Fly sweet angel to be with your love

In peace in a beautiful world above

To laugh, dance, smile and be free

In our hearts and minds forever you’ll be

xxx

Pat always found time to give help and advice to anyone. She would never be too busy for a friendly chat and I will remember her great sense of humour and infectious laughter.

 Pat was one in a million the likes of which we well sadly never see again. 

Kathi Parker

Thank you for being a wonderful friend and colleague and may you now rest in peace. 

Love Debbie xx  

A funny thing is that I think of you a lot when using my air fryer! We had many chats about air fryer recipes, and you were very firm with your advice that it must be cleaned after every use. I recently bought a new air fryer and I promise I am making sure I follow your advice!

I am glad you are no longer suffering and hope your family feel comforted by the out pouring of love from so many people since your passing.

Nathan x