Patricia Edwards

Patricia Ann Van Over Edwards died on January 30, 2021, in her home in Annapolis, MD. Pat was aptly named, as she was born on March 17, 1937. Born in San Diego, CA, her family moved to Portsmouth, VA, when she was small, and this is where she spent her childhood, horseback riding being central to her life. She recounted walking to the local library at a very young age, fueling her love of books and learning; she valued education more than anything. In addition, she recalled attending her first opera at age 14, which was "The Tales of Hoffman". These early experiences were gifts that continued to shape her interests. Pat attended the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore, and after she graduated in 1958, she was determined to travel to Europe, the beginning of a lifelong passion to expand her horizons in many ways. Living with a family in Switzerland through the Experiment in International Living that summer was a formative experience that she remembered her entire life. She moved to New York City as a young woman, and through friends she was introduced to a young Arthur Edwards. The two were married in 1963, a strong and loving partnership that continued until his death in 2012. After a few moves, they settled in Washington, DC, where Arthur worked in the Johnson administration. Pat loved her urban life with small children, and at first only grudgingly moved to Annapolis, when Arthur was expanding his own business and wanted to be near the water. However, as with everything, she took the opportunity and made it great, becoming an institution in the community she inhabited for almost 50 years. After making a home for Arthur and ensuring the education of their children, she sought to expand her mind further. In 1987, she became the first Executive Director of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, and during her nine-year tenure, she brought the group to the new level of organization and prominence that it now enjoys. Over the past 30 years, she attended more than 25 concerts, operas, plays and other cultural events in any given year. She patronized the arts and education in so many active ways, donating her time and money. A proud moment for her was being recognized by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County in 2007 with the Annie Award for Arts Patron. After she was widowed in 2012, she continued to travel, attending opera festivals in many locations, and experiencing art and music around the world. She was fiercely independent until the end, proud to be surrounded by her collection of Asian art, play bridge a few times weekly at a championship level, and have Sunday dinner with family. Pat beautified the world in many ways, not the least of which was her knowledge and care of the botanical world. Her home with Arthur was lovingly landscaped and will be one of her lasting legacies; she loved the Four Rivers Garden Club, and her ancient boxwood hedge was also one of her most prized possessions. Holiday boxwood wreaths will forever evoke her memory! She is survived by her children and grandchildren, who will remember her as opinionated, and always striving to expose them to culture, yet loving, encouraging, and grateful for the wonderful life she had lived. In her last few years, one of her favorite holiday gifts was an outing with family to the theater in Washington, DC, followed by dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club. Countless organizations in the Annapolis community will remember her commitment and generosity, as she touched so many lives. In lieu of flowers, please consider 'paying it forward' to one of the many organizations she cherished: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Opera, The Key School, and Historic Annapolis Foundation, to name a few.