Patricia May Risberg

Patricia May Geddes Risberg, 91, passed away on September 26, 2024, at her home in Orlando, FL following a short illness. Pat was born May 1, 1933, to parents Robert (Robbie) and Florence (Florrie) Geddes in Long Island City, New York; the eldest of their five children.
Pat was raised in New York until the age of seven when she moved with her family to Panama in 1941. Her grandfather, Thomas Geddes and his two brothers, Albert and Joseph Geddes, worked on the construction of the Panama Canal between 1910 to 1913. All three are Roosevelt Medal Holders. Robbie traveled to Panama in 1940 with his father, Thomas, and three of Robbie's brothers to seek employment. Robbie found work in Panama with his Uncle Albert but soon was hired by the Panama Canal Company and he sent for Florrie and their two daughters, Patty and Dianne, to come down to Panama in September 1940. Florrie and the girls traveled on the SS CRISTOBAL from New York to Panama.
The family flourished in the Canal Zone and Pat graduated from Cristobal High School in May 1951. In June 1951, she married George Flores (Lanky), and they spent their first three years in the Canal Zone. Lanky joined the Army in 1953 and they moved to Camp Polk, LA, where Wendy was born in November, 1953.
After stints in Fort Riley, KS and then a return to civilian life in California, the Flores family returned to the Canal Zone in 1955 and Lanky was hired by the Panama Canal as a fireman. Lori was born in February 1957. The family lived on the Atlantic Side until 1971. They moved to La Boca on the Pacific Side and the girls were fully involved in horses and horse shows.
When the girls were old enough, Pat went to work for the Panama Canal Company where she spanned a career for the Canal working as an Administrative Assistant/Officer for the Cristobal Maintenance Division, the Balboa Maintenance Division and eventually as the Administrative Officer for the Engineering Division in the Balboa Heights Administration Building.
On July 1, 1976, Pat married Robert (Bud) Risberg, and in 1981, they retired to Titusville, FL where they lived for 30+ years. Pat was a great cook and enjoyed entertaining, writing, reading and she and Bud enjoyed spending time with their blended family. She also enjoyed playing golf, traveling and being the matriarch of the family, frequently hosting family and friends, many of whom were former Canal Zone colleagues. Pat lost her beloved Bud on March 28, 2011.
On July 5, 2013, Pat married Peter (Pete) Foster, a family friend of nearly 40 years, in the presence of family and friends at the Panama Canal Society Reunion in Orlando, FL. It was a lovely, happy affair, officiated by Betty LeDoux and Nancy Van Siclen, PCS Officers. In 2019, Pat moved to Wedgefield, FL to be near her daughter, Lori. For the past five years, Pat has been content and thrived in her home there.
Pat was the keeper of the Geddes Family Tree, electronically capturing facts for each person in the Geddes lineage, back to 1777. This volume of work is invaluable. Then, between 1998 - 2000, Pat created a family treasure and called it the "Geddes Gazette". She created a family legacy and heirloom of 24 issues; she composed, edited, printed and mailed countless copies to family members. She chronicled family histories, events, accomplishments, memories, had guest columnists, etc. It is a priceless summary of the Geddes Clan.
During COVID, Pat decided to write her autobiography, "My Memories", a detailed, humorous, and sometimes sad story of her life's experiences, loves and adventures. Of course, her family collectively said, "how do you remember all that stuff?" It is a lovely memoir for her family to keep and relish her stories.
Pat was predeceased by her daughter, Wendy, and husbands, Lanky, Bud and Pete, stepson, Gerry Risberg, as well as brothers, Robert Geddes and Bill Geddes.
She is survived by her daughter, Lori Roche (Scott); grandchildren, Daron Roche (Kelsey) and sons Sebastian and Randall; Lauren Mitchell (Scott) and sons Everett and Ashton; stepdaughter Charmaine Michaelis (Greg) and daughters Stephanie and Christina; stepson Eric Risberg (partner Rick); stepdaughter Maureen Paul (Kevin) and children Corey, Ryan and Ciera; and sisters, Dianne Schmenk (Tom) and family; and Barbara Tung (Chung-Wai) and family.
A memorial service will be held October 5th at the North Brevard Funeral Home, 1450 Norwood Ave, Titusville, FL 32796 at 11:00am ET.
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