PATTI ANN RUSHER-POLIZZI
Departed this life on Sunday, July 3, 2016 without pain and without suffering. She entered this world on March 13, 1959 - Friday the thirteenth, an unlucky notion for most, but not Patti, she relished in the notoriety and luck that the day brought her. That''s Patti - and anyone who knew her and loved her understood just how appropriate that was. She grew up in Arlington, Virginia, graduating from Yorktown High School in 1977. While Patti had the grades to go to college, she had already established herself as an important team member of American Service Center, working there part-time during the school year, and she strategically chose to continue that career. She moved on to Electronic Industries Association and then to CACI, where she earned her credentials as a certified trade show manager and enjoyed an extremely successful career. She mentored many colleagues during her time at CACI and in her role as Trade Show Manager was able to travel the world and experience more than most of us hope to in our lifetime. She later worked for CGI Defense and CGI Federal in Marketing and Business Development and in 2012 started her own consulting business as a marketing, branding and trade show/event specialist. She married Gary Polizzi in 1991 and they made their home in Centreville, VA.Patti was predeceased by her parents, Vernon James Rusher and Helen Currier Rusher. Patti is survived by her husband, Gary Polizzi; step-son, Brandon and his wife, Jen Polizzi; grandchildren, Liam and Zoe; brother, Glen Rusher and partner, Regina Mize; nephew, Thurman Lee; nieces, Krisi Freeze and Jennifer Lee Buckner; brother, George "Jody" Rusher and wife, Paula Rusher; nephew, Nicholas Rusher; niece, Cori Rusher and her daughters, Julia and Audrey Stendeback; brother and sister-in-law, Drew and Joyce. She also leaves other relatives and hundreds of friends that she loved.It was Patti''s wish to be cremated. A celebration of her life will be at the residence of Gary and Patti on Saturday, July 16, 2016 from 3 to 8 p.m., 14526 Meeting Camp Road, Centerville, VA. 20121
Published in The Washington Post on Jul. 6, 2016.