Patricia Pingree Romney

Patricia "Pat" Pingree Romney passed away on November 23, 2025. She was born to Job Frederick Pingree and Marjorie Cannon Pingree on September 28, 1929, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the oldest of four children. As a child, she gained a passion for work from her parents during the lean years of the great depression. Her family valued both learning and music, which became two of her lifelong pursuits.

At seventeen, she graduated from East High School and jumped directly into sorority life as a member and later advisor to the Chi Omega sorority at the University of Utah. While at the U, she majored in history and spent her summers in college working at Yellowstone Lodge. During the school year, she served as assistant dean of the graduate school under Dr. Henry Eyring, Sr. She graduated from the U and went on to marry Vernon Bradford Romney in the Salt Lake City Temple on December 29, 1951.

In 1952, Pat moved to Washington D.C. where her husband attended law school, and she worked as a secretary to Senators Bennett and Watkins. In addition, she worked as a secretary to the dean of the political science department at American University, and as an administrative assistant of the Western States Meat Packers Association. She became a mother in January of 1953 when Robyn was born to her and Vernon.

However, the type of work Pat enjoyed the most was her church work. She served on the Primary General Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As part of this assignment, she chaired the Cub Scout Division Membership for the Great Salt Lake Scout Council. For her service, she was given the Silver Beaver Award by The Boy Scouts of America. Later, she served on the Relief Society General Board of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was appointed as national President of Lambda Delta Sigma, a church-sponsored sorority. During her term of office, she tripled enrollment in the sorority.

For several years, Pat owned a travel agency in Provo, Utah, where she found bargain trips and cruises throughout the world for all her clients. However, the real reason she became a travel agent was so she could travel the world at a greatly diminished cost to herself, her family, and her friends.

As the wife of an attorney who later became the Attorney General of Utah, she loved to entertain, and her cooking was renowned, especially her homemade rolls. Pat also loved to spend her time skiing and playing tennis. She also loved to hear stories of her ancestors. She loved the arts. Pat visited museums around the world, attended opera performances and went to every play she could manage to fit into her extremely busy schedule. She sang in choral groups well into her eighties and fostered a love for music in her children. With her superb sense of humor, Pat loved a good story and could laugh at herself. She was a good listener.

Pat and Vern served two church missions, one to Charleston, West Virginia and another to La Jolla, California. La Jolla would become her favorite place in the world.

Pat had a keen interest in her six children and 21 grandchildren--attending many of their sports and music performances. Pat kept a happy attitude even in challenging times. She was known for her refinement and graciousness and, also as a world-class cook and hostess. Pat loved hearing stories of her ancestors.

Her husband Vernon predeceased her, as did her son James B. Romney, daughter-in-law Sharon P. Romney, and granddaughters Rebecca Romney and Sarah Fitzgerald. She is survived by her children Robyn Romney Evans (Bob), Vernon F. (Rick) Romney (Yevon), Douglas P. Romney (Deborah), Elizabeth Ann Romney (John Hitzfeld), and Marjorie Romney Aslett (Grant), 20 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Highland Eighteenth Ward Chapel, 4679 West 11000 North, Highland, Utah. There will be a viewing from 9-11 a.m. and a funeral service at 11:30 a.m.