PATRICIA A. GEORGE

Patricia A. (Pat) George of Kansas City, MO, passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2009. Pat was born June 11, 1925, in Kansas City, MO, to John Dorton and Anna Jane (Hayden) George. Her family moved to Concordia, MO, where she attended elementary school. She graduated from William Chrisman High School in Independence, MO. Pat graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute with a degree in fashion illustration. After graduation she taught several classes there, and she worked with students in an advisory role. She maintained a strong connection to the Art Institute and was an active alumna. Pat started her career as a fashion artist, illustrator and designer at Harzfeld's in Kansas City in 1949. Pat excelled at this work and created many award-winning ads. She had a distinctive style, many times with a little "playfulness" in the ads. She was recognized locally, nationally and internationally for her work. She was especially proud of an ad she created in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Christian Dior Collection at Harzfeld's. She received a response from Mr. Dior himself. While at Harzfeld's, Pat designed and drew many covers for The Independent Magazine. In 1972, she began a free- lance art and advertising career. She did work for many of the fine stores in Kansas City including Jack Henry's, Gerhardt Furs, Au Marche, Superlatives and others. Pat was an accomplished commercial artist, painting on weekends and vacations. She traveled extensively with a group of Kansas City artist friends. Pat's favorite locations were the Flint Hills in Kansas, Platte County landscapes and the coastlines of Martha's Vineyard. She was a true lover of nature, which is evident in her paintings. Pat exhibited her work in many local art shows including the Plaza Art Fair and juried shows at the Nelson Gallery, The Junior League, KC Art Institute Group Show and more. She did a number of one-woman shows throughout the Kansas City area. Her work is represented in permanent collections of area businesses and individuals. Pat's travel with her art career took her around the world. She enjoyed traveling with friends, shopping and visiting art galleries in New York, San Francisco, Paris, Rome, London, Tokyo, Mexico City and more. She always had her sketch pad close at hand and would spend time sketching the local scenery and architecture. Pat was a member of the Friends of Art, The Nature Conservancy, The National Historic Society, The Wilderness Society, The Missouri Prairie Foundation and the Kansas City Art Institute Foundation. Pat was a supporter of the arts and theater in Kansas City. She was very generous with her time and talents in support of many organizations and causes. Pat was preceded in death by her parents, J.D. and Jane George, and her cousins Peggy Sandifer and Fred Brower. She is survived by cousins Cheryl (Don) Hagedorn of Leawood, KS, and their sons Brian and Brett; Carol (Larry) Young of Cleveland, MO, and their children Erik (Hallie), Belton, MO, and Andrea (Jessie), Kansas City, MO; Lottie Lee Coker, Bill Huddler and Judy Allin, Independence, MO; Linda Davidson, Lisa Lindsay and Chris Brower, all of Colorado; friend Terry Williams, Sacramento, CA; and many friends in the Kansas City art and retail community. A memorial service in celebration of Pat's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. To honor Pat's wishes, please omit flowers. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to: The Kansas City Art Institute, Attention: Pam Sibert, Office of Advancement, 4415 Warwick Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111. The family wishes to express their gratitude and thanks to the dedicated and caring staff at Villa Ventura Assisted Living, Odyssey Health Care and Clare Bridge Memory Care Center. Arrangements: Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, (816) 942-2004.