Obituary of Patricia Root

Patricia "Patsy" Capps Root, age 84, of Millcreek Twp., passed away on St. Nicholas Day, Saturday, December 6, 2014 in Erie. She was born in San Angelo, Texas, on April 30, 1930, the daughter of the late James Charles and Francis Harris Capps of Brownwood, Texas. She moved with her family to Brownwood, Texas in 1938. She graduated from Brownwood High School in 1947. Patsy went on to attend Ward-Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee and the University of Texas, Austin, for undergraduate work, and then Gannon University in Erie, graduating with a M.A. in English. She met her husband when he was stationed in Texas with the U.S. Air Force. They married in 1952 and they resided in Erie for most of their lives, while also maintaining a home in Brownwood, Texas later in life. She worked for Congressman O. C. Fisher, 21st District, Texas as a staff member in 1952-53. She was the Chairman for the English Department at Mercyhurst Preparatory School from 1973 to 1981 and then served as Executive Director, NW Pennsylvania Office of U.S. Senator Arlen Spector (R.PA) from 1981 to 1987. Her community service included the Chapter Board and Cathedral League of Women, Cathedral of St. Paul; Brevillier Foundation; NW Pennsylvania Teachers of English; Junior League of Erie; Hamot Medical Center School of Anesthesia Board; Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Erie County; Executive Committee, Republican Party of Erie County; Erie County Republican Women Board; and, Millcreek Township School District PTA. Among her passions in life were reading, teaching, learning, following politics, traveling, and her family. She and her husband enjoyed taking long bike rides in Erie and the surrounding region. Her enthusiasm for literature was overwhelming and she gave her phone number to any student who wanted to talk about a book but couldn't wait for class. She inspired the love of reading in countless individuals. Her passion for life was not diminished after she suffered a debilitating stroke in 2009. While confined to a wheelchair in a nursing home, she would go around and "visit" the other residents and share her zest for life. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul B. Root, Jr. of Erie. She is survived by her sister, Charlene Capps Roth (John), brother-in-law, David Bond Root (Marjorie) and three children: Paul Bowman Root III (Mary Kay), James Capps Root (Angela), and Laurie Bond Root (Pat Lampel). In addition, she is survived by her grandchildren: Kurt Martine, Douglas Martine, Madeleine Martine, P. Bowman Root IV, Wade Root, Hanna Root, Charles Root, Sarah Root, and Capps Root. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Sunday, December 21 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. and are invited to attend a Funeral Service on Monday at 10:30 a.m. with the Very Rev. Dr. John P. Downey officiating at St. Paul's Cathedral, 134 West 7th Street. In lieu of flowers, donations may be in honor of her love of reading and teaching to United Way's Imagination Library, 420 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16507 or Mercyhurst Prep Fund, 538 E. Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16504.