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PATRICIA DOHERTY Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for PATRICIA DOHERTY
Sana Salous
July 8, 2023
The Women In Radio Science, WIRS, are grateful for Pat's initiative. In recognition of her contributions to the scientific community and in supporting WIRS, we organised a session in her memory at the URSI GASS 2023 to be held in Sapporo and four other sessions led by WIRS.
Karen
September 27, 2022
Life Is Not the Same Without You
The sun still rises in the east
and darkness falls at night
but nothing now seems quite the same
each day is not as bright
The birds still sing, the flowers grow
The breeze still whispers, too
but it will never, ever, ever be
the same world without you
It´s so sad that you had to go
your leaving caused such pain
but you were so very special
and earth´s loss is heaven´s gain
-Author Unknown
Babatunde Rabiu, CAR, NASRDA, Nigeria
August 2, 2022
I first met Mama Pat Doherty at the IHY Africa workshop on Space Weather Science and Education at Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in November 2007. The International Heliophysical Year workshop was well attended and was indeed a huge success. Our second interaction was at the 21st International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of the Institute of Navigation (ION GNSS 2008) at Savanah, Georgia, USA in September 2008. I presented a paper titled "Global Navigation Satellite Systems: Impacts, Prospects and Challenges in Africa" at a special session which focused on "International Cooperation in GNSS" anchored by the International Committee on GNSS ICG of the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs `UNOOSA´. She walked up to me immediately after my paper at the Savannah International Convention Center expressing great joy as usual and informed me that my presentation lent support to their pending request from ION to sponsor the yearly African capacity building program on space weather and GNSS that has now become the annual event at the Abdus Salam Institute of Theoretical Physics ICTP, Trieste, Italy. On that fateful day, we sat by the staircase outside the auditorium sharing ideas for a while and every extra dream we had that day has come to pass. The annual workshop event which started in 2009 has continued to record success year in year out. It has become a model of training in thematic fields. Mama Pat was at the center of the series of annual workshop.
She was such an iconic female scientist who was indeed a role model to all of us at the Space weather and GNSS community in Africa. Words will fail me to list all what she has done to improve our research, cooperation and visibility. She was indeed a bridge builder and a team player. She lived a selfless and fulfilled life. She earned the name "Mama Africa". She has become our song. She is our heroine in African Space weather and GNSS community. She lived for us and gave us her all. She lives forever in our hearts. A vibrant global scientist with a record of an outstanding scholarship and member of many international scientific societies. She positively impacted many scientists, some of whom are leading in their various domains today. Mama Pat was an epitome of diligence, integrity, and courage. She excelled in her glowing career and chaired many international scientific committees and workshop sessions that had to do with Space Weather and GSSS science. She was a serving member of the International Advisory Board of our highly subscribed yearly International Colloquium on Equatorial and Low-Latitude Ionosphere in Nigeria. She served in various positions at the Institute of Navigation and eventually served as the President of the Institute. Until her exit, she was the serving Scientific Secretary of the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics SCOSTEP and Vice President of URSI. She was widely published in peer-reviewed journals and made presentation in many scientific meetings across the globe. She was a pacesetter, an embodiment of knowledge and a lover of mankind who deployed huge passion to the development of our science. In every scientific meeting I have been with her, she always organize side events to encourage gender mainstreaming.
Mama Pat dedicated much of her active time to research and development of Space Weather and GNSS across the globe and in particular Africa. In 2014, she was decorated as one of the founding fellows of the African Geophysical Society at the first conference of the Society which held in Abuja, Nigeria. It is obvious that she lived a fulfilled life full of achievements and has thus left behind an enviable scientific and professional record. Her eminence and respect amongst other global scientists were matched by her integrity, modesty, and open-mindedness. We enjoyed her benevolence and kindness. She was a great inspiration and a loving mother to us all. The news of her death, which was received with unbelief and rude shock, reverberated through the length and breadth of the African continent. We cannot get over this shock. Even though Mama Pat Doherty has departed this world on the 14th July 2022; it is true that people like her don´t die like others; rather they live on in the hearts of those that they have impacted. Hence, she has become immortal of a sort. Her works and seeds shall continue to manifest her life here in our midst. We shall uphold her legacies. Sleep on erudite professor. Mama Pat has indeed come, seen and conquered. Adieu the great amazon! Adieu Mama Pat Doherty
Professor Babatunde Rabiu,
Centre for Atmospheric Research,
National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigeria
Past President, African Geophysical Society (2012-2016)
Archana Bhattacharyya
July 25, 2022
I am shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Pat's sudden passing. I am remembering all our interactions since 1987, when I first met her at AFRL. Always a cheerful presence, and a wonderful friend, forever ready to help everyone. Her exceptional skills brought together many scientists from different parts of the world to the conferences that she organized. She was highly committed to supporting women radio scientists. It was fortunate that we could catch up during the Beacon Satellite Symposium in Poland in 2019. I extend my heartfelt condolences to her husband and children on their irreparable loss. Rest in Peace, dear friend.
Baylie Damtie
July 24, 2022
We share this great sense of sadness and loss with so many around the world who knew and loved Pat. We will cherish the memories of our time with her, particularly our time together in Ethiopia. We will continue to see her light shine in the success of the girls she supported through her donations to YouGoGirls in Ethiopia! The students, alumni, and staff of the Washera Geospace and Radar Science Laboratory of the Bahir Dar University and many others in the region will greatly miss Pat and her support for the advancement of space physics education and research in Africa! Her spirit will be with us, enlightening our minds. Rest in peace beautiful soul.
Baylie Damtie and Emily Boersma
Bertram Arbesser-Rastburg
July 23, 2022
The news of Pat´s untimely passing away came as a shock. Pat was a wonderful person - combining scientific insight with engineering understanding, management skills and most of all, a great personality. She organized SBAS-IONO meetings, Beacon Symposia and Ionosphere Workshops and she was universally liked. In several meetings in Trieste she brought in scientists from Africa, giving us an opportunity to see what is being researched in these countries and giving them an opportunity to meet people doing the same type of research in Europe and in the Americas. We will all miss her and remember her as an exceptionally nice person and friend. My heartfelt condolences to her family. Rest in peace, dear Pat.
Monique Hughes-Henry
July 21, 2022
Dear Karen and Family,
I am so sad to hear of the sudden passing of your mother. My mind keeps thinking of our last conversation about our mothers. My prayers and sympathies are with you during this difficult time. The other day I sat and read her obituary and was inspired by her accomplishments. The posts by her colleagues showed her outstanding contributions to people and her work. She was amazing! It warmed my heart to hear of her dedication to you and her grandchildren. She will be missed and leaves a legacy of love. May God's grace abound with you.
Sincerely,
Monique N Hughes-Henry
Endawoke Yizengaw
July 21, 2022
I still can not believe you're gone, Pat. For me Pat was not only a best friend and a mentor but also a mother figure. Although Pat was my boss during my time at BC, she never ever treated me as my boss but as a mother. I can not stop crying by reciting everything she did for me. Pat, you're a unique and special person I ever met and I will miss you a lot!!
Dr.A.D.Sarma , CBIT, Hyderabad, India
July 21, 2022
Very sorry to hear the sad demise of Dr.Patricia Doherty.
She is a source of inspiration to young scientists working in the area of ionosphere and space weather. I had the opportunity to meet her couple of times in Boston, Trieste, Italy and conferences. She encouraged many youngsters especially from developing countries to participate in the training programs and conferences. My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
Babatunde Rabiu, CAR, NASRDA, Nigeria
July 20, 2022
15 years of quality interactions ended abruptly. Your exit is felt globally. The news of your death reverberated through the length and breadth of your dear African continent. You lived a selfless and fulfilled life. You earned the name "Mama Africa". you have become our song. You are our heroine in Space weather and GNSS community. You lived for us and gave us your all. You are forever in our hearts. We cannot get over this shock. We shall uphold your legacies. My condolences to the immediate family and every other person over this mutual loss. Rest in peace sweet Mama! Adieu Mama
Olga Dr.Sheiner
July 20, 2022
I would like to express my sincere condolences on the death of Patricia Helen Doherty. Wishing all relatives peace as they grieve this loss.
Yenca Migoya-Orue
July 20, 2022
Losing someone like Pat is so hard. She was a phenomenal woman and such an inspiration in the life of many scientists. I will always cherish the valuable advices she gave me and the wonderful memories during workshops and conferences.
My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
Joe Kunches
July 20, 2022
I was lucky to have worked with Pat, and to see her impact on, not only the science she studied, but also the young people she mentored. She sponsored students to come to the NOAA space weather facility in Boulder during the summer, and I was happy to host those exemplary people. Pat clearly was a role model for them, and I think, for the rest of us. She will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family.
Clint Dominic Bennett
July 20, 2022
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Patricia Doherty. We are grateful for her encouragement and support for the involvement of Philippine institutions with Space Weather activities. The world is a better place because of her kindness and care for others.
Ted Beach
July 19, 2022
My heartfelt condolences to Pat's family in this difficult time. Pat's kindness shone throughout. For example, she always took the time to ask how my mother was doing since my father passed away last year. Pat will be sorely missed at ISR and throughout the space community.
Sean Oconnell
July 19, 2022
Pat was a very special person. I had the blessing of working with her for over 20 years. She truly cared about people and strove to improve the lives around her. I have a great respect and love for her. She was special and will be missed and never forgotten. Thank you for everything you have done to make ISR a wonderful place to work. That is all due to you.
David Webb
July 19, 2022
So shocked and saddened by Pat's passing. I had worked with her at Hanscom AFB and Boston College/ISR since 1990. Condolences to her family.
Dave Webb
Enoch Asino
July 19, 2022
I still can't believe that you are gone Pat. A very heartbreaking and saddening news to those of us whose lives you touched.. Death has robbed the world of such a beautiful soul. My condolences to your grieving family, your colleagues at Boston Institute for Scientific Research (ISR), and all your friends. Rest in peace till we meet on the resurrection morning.
Gopi Seemala, IIG, Mumbai
July 19, 2022
I am so saddened to hear about the sudden departure of Patricia Doherty.
I am forever grateful for her motherly affection and the motivation that I received from her. She has inspired many young researchers and empowered many women scientists across the world. My deepest condolences to all her family members and colleagues.
Prof Emmanuel Ariyibi Ariyibi
July 19, 2022
A great loss! She is very receptive and available to scientific ideas and development especially to African scientists and other developing countries. We met more than twelve years ago at the GNSS meeting at ICTP Trieste, Italy and we maintain correspondences afterwards. Her dedication and passion for space weather research and development is amazing. So her death is indeed a great loss! My condolence to the immediate family of Pat, scientific colleagues, Boston College and others. Adeiu , a great friend!
Klobuchar Family
July 19, 2022
John ("Jack") Klobuchar and family would like to extend our sympathy to Pat's family. Her passing is a tremendous loss to her family, the BC and URSI communities and the scientific world at large. She will be remembered for her huge love for her family, her kindness to others, her passion for her work and her support of women and newbies in her field. May she rest in peace and may her treasured family find some measure of comfort in special memories.
Pierdavide Coïsson
July 19, 2022
It's with great sadness that I received the news of the sudden departure of Dr Pat Doherty. She has always been very kind and very supportive. I will never forget her enthusiasm. I felt privileged to discuss in person with her during the URSI assembly in Rome last year. Her scientific heritage is huge. My deepest condolences to all her colleagues and family members.
Paul Cannon
July 19, 2022
Pat was one of those rare people who could achieve much and still be liked by all. She will be sorely missed by the community of scientists that she led. She and I worked together closely when I was URSI President, and she was Commission G vice Chair, and I couldn´t have had better support.
Personally, I feel really fortunate to have recently seen Pat in Gran Canaria, where we were again able to swap news about our respective families.
Undoubtably, she has left a big hole in our community and our personal lives.
Joseph Omojola
July 19, 2022
Pat brought the knowledge of space weather and Ionospheric physics to African region her undying love and voice lives on.
Ravindra Pratap Singh
July 19, 2022
I was so saddened to hear about the demise of Dr Patrecia Helen Doherty.
Heartfelt condolences to the departed soul.
Sylvester Onwuneme
July 19, 2022
May her gentle soul rest in the bosom of our lord amen.
Riccardo Notarpietro
July 19, 2022
I like to think that you are now continue looking at the ionosphere from the above. You have been an example for everyone who met you. Condolences to your family.
Venkatesh Kavutarapu
July 19, 2022
It is extremely shocking to hear about the sad demise of Madam Patricia Doherty. It is deeply saddening to imagine that madam is not with us anymore.
I am fortunate to meet her through my Ph.D Supervisor Prof. P.V.S. Ramarao, who passed away few years ago. They both were very good research friends as well as family friends. I could not imagine the grief that would have been experienced by Prof. Ramarao, with this loss, if he is alive.
She is a very dynamic and passionate researcher, and lead several responsibilities reaching the hearts of each and everyone in the scientific community all over the globe. She has been inspirational for many young scientists and I am fortunate to be one among them. She is also one of the adjudicators of my Ph.D thesis. Leading several responsibilities in different positions, she is easily accessible to everyone and she always interacts with pleasant smile, concern and love.
Her services to the ionospheric radio community particularly in encouraging the younger generation are invaluable and hard to be replaced. I pray almighty to keep her soul rest in peace and my memories are with her family members in this hard time.
K. Venkatesh, Physical Research Laboratory, India
Shyamal Kumar Chakraborty
July 19, 2022
It is a huge loss for the Space Science Group particularly the satellite beacon group all over the globe. May her soul rest in peace
Shyamal Kumar Chakraborty, Maharaja Srischandra College, Kolkata
Aramesh Seif
July 19, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. My sincere condolences to her family. Patricia was a lovely woman and a wonderful scientist. I met her at IBSS conference in Italy and I had a great time with her. Gone from our sight but never from our heart.With love.
Ange Cynthia Umuhire
July 19, 2022
My heartfelt condolences to the family of Patricia and the space weather community. She has been a role model
to all of us especially fresh young African students in the space weather fields. She personally assisted me as a SCOSTEP Visiting Scholar at NASA GSFC in 2019. Moreover , we met in other conferences in Italy and she has been assisting in everything. She was a good inspiration for Young scientists ladies from developing countries. She organized a space weather workshop in my country (Rwanda) in 2014 and she got an opportunity to spend wonderful moment there as she often used to talk about it. She will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and freinds. Rest in eternal peace Patricia.
Kazuo Shiokawa
July 18, 2022
I am truly sorry to hear the sad news of Pat's passing. I still cannot believe the sudden disappearance of her. Pat has been the Scientific Secretary of the Scientific Committee on Solar-Terrestrial Physics (SCOSTEP) since June 2019. Pat has provided various administrative supports for the SCOSTEP activities. Particularly, Pat has made great efforts to support students and early-career scientists by organizing capacity building schools/workshops and by providing administrative support for their travel to overseas institutions under the SCOSTEP visiting scholar program. Pat also made great efforts of translation of SCOSTEP's comic books on solar-terrestrial physics for kids to various languages. In my understanding, translation to Bengali, Portuguese, Check, Arabic, Norwegian, Hungarian, and Polish, is still going on with the management of Pat. She has also developed a new SCOSTEP website and a scostep-all mailing list in which there are more than 2400 scientists registered from more than 70 countries. SCOSTEP will miss her deeply and we send our sincere condolences to her family and friends. We can only pray for her peaceful rest.
Prof Ahmad Faizal Mohd Zain
July 18, 2022
Heartiest condolences to her family. Had several opportunities of chatting with Pat regarding The AlMighty´s beautiful creation - the ionosphere.
Ashik Paul, University of Calcutta, INDIA
July 18, 2022
The unexpected loss of Pat will be a big setback for the Beacon Satellite community. Her tremendous support for advancing the knowledge of space science in developing countries like India will be sadly missed. She was extremely down-to-earth and inclusive in her approach, particularly for the under-represented communities on the global space science platform. Truly speaking, I still cannot believe the news, given that we talked over the mail on June 22nd. May her soul rest in peace.
Dr S Sripathi
July 18, 2022
I am saddened by her sudden demise. I know her very well for quite some time. She is very active and kind. It is unfortunate to hear that she is no more with us. I pray for soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to their family members and near ones.
Sripathi
Indian Institute of Geomagnetsm
Navi Mumbai, India
Michael Newkirk, Chair of USNC-URSI
July 18, 2022
On behalf of the entire USNC-URSI community, I offer my sincere condolences to Pat's family. The entirety of USNC-URSI was so proud and excited when she became a Vice-President of URSI. It was such a pleasure working with Pat and I was looking forward to all she would accomplish leading the URSI efforts to expand the Women in Radio Science into other member countries. She is a true inspiration to many women in our community and will be greatly missed.
Lucilla Alfonsi
July 18, 2022
All URSI scientists and in particular women in Radio Science will miss your kindness and your firm wilingness to support the youngest. Personally I will miss your gentle smile and your inclusive way of managing any event. Condolescence to her family.
Prof. Daniel Sjöberg and Prof. Asta Pellinen-Wannberg, present and past Ch
July 18, 2022
We are so sad to hear about the loss of Pat. She was a true inspiration and asset to the international community of Radio Science, as demonstrated throughout a lifetime and very recently at the URSI AT-AP-RASC meeting. Our hearts go out to her loving family.
john e sumner
July 18, 2022
Dear Charlie and family, we are so saddened to hear of Pat's passing. She was a wonderful person and a great neighbor. We will always remember her.
Love Patty and John Sumner
Daniela Bany´s, ISWI Germany
July 18, 2022
It is hard to find the right words ...
Pat was such an inspiration. I met her on my very first business trip overseas. I was lucky to visit Boston College for a receiver installation. Pat welcomed me so warmly. I couldn't have asked for a better start with collaborators than with Pat. I'm forever grateful.
You'll be missed
Hesham El-Badawy, URSI Egypt
July 18, 2022
URSI will miss her deeply and I send my condolences to her husband and her family
Faye Zeidlhack
July 18, 2022
Dear Karen, your Mother was amazing. I know how proud you were to be her daughter. Please take care, Faye Zeidlhack
Janet Johnston
July 18, 2022
I am very sorry to hear this.
Lakha Singh
July 18, 2022
Very sad to learn about the demise of Dr Patrecia Helen Doherty.
Cathryn Mitchell
July 18, 2022
Pat touched so many people with her kind, cheerful and strong leadership of her scientific community. I remember with great fondness a few years ago working closely with Pat to prepare the Beacon Satellite Symposium in Bath in the UK and it was clear to me how much joy it brought to Pat to gather her community together. She took genuine pleasure in the success of others and always made time for everyone. She had a special gift for bringing together people from different cultures to share their scientific interests. Her loss is keenly felt by her colleagues from all over the world and our thoughts are especially with her family and close friends at this time.
George Maeda
July 18, 2022
Pat was involved in so many things, including
ISWI (Intl Space Weather Initiative). I know this as
the Editor of the ISWI Newsletter. She will be sorely
sorely missed by this community. Rest in peace.
Dadaso Shetti
July 17, 2022
A person that departs from this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds, through us, they live on. Please accept my condolences, she will not be forgotten.
Anna Williams Cote
July 17, 2022
I am so sorry for your loss. Patty was a great person and she will be missed.
Sana Salous
July 17, 2022
On behalf of the UK URSI I offer my condolences to Pat's family. During her short term as member of the URSI board she championed the women in Radio Science and URSI which will no doubt bring a lasting legacy.
Sana Salous
Chair of UK URSI
Máirtín Ó Droma
July 17, 2022
I'm very sorry to hear the terribly sad news about Patricia. On behalf of the Irish URSI community and on my own behalf I offer my deepest sympathy to husband Charles, her children and grandchildren and extended family. I will pray for her, and of course for all of you her distraught bereaved family. May she rest in peace.
Máirtín O'Droma, President, All-Ireland Official Commission Members Committee, International Union of Radio Science (URSI).
Tom Kuchar Kuchar
July 17, 2022
My deepest sympathy for your loss. Pat was very much love and appreciated for all she did for us at BC
Mary Ellen & Bud Magaldi
July 17, 2022
Charlie, and family, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Pat... she was a wonderful women and well respected, we will miss her.
Our deepest sympathy,
Cousin Mary Ellen and husband Bud
Prof. Carlo Carobbi, President of the Italian National Committee of URSI
July 17, 2022
The Italian URSI community expresses deep condolences and closeness to the family for the sudden disappearance of the esteemed colleague, and Vice-President of URSI, Pat Doherty.
Prof. Peter Van Daele, URSI Secretary General
July 17, 2022
This has been an unbelievably sad duty for me to to inform our URSI Community about the loss of our Vice-President, colleague and friend.
Recently, many amongst us had the opportunity to meet Pat on the occasion of our last URSI Flagship Meeting in Gran Canaria where she was actively involved in many sessions and was the driving force behind the Women in Radio Science session. She was hugely enthusiastic about this initiative and was the trigger to set up several Women in Radio Science chapters in our URSI Member Committees.
Pat was a committed and engaged scientist, promoting radio science in a global sense. URSI will miss her deeply and we send our condolences to her husband and her family.
May she rest in peace,
Peter
Michael Larson
July 16, 2022
It's so sad to lose you and so suddenly. We are all heart broken. You were always very special. I will miss you dearly. Love you.
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