SISTER PROFILE
To the Fullest A
lpha Gamma Delta empowers its members to Live with Purpose. Patricia Carey Floren, Delta Eta–San Diego State University, exemplified this call to action. Despite a 20-year battle with breast cancer, Patti—as she was known—lived each day with positivity and intention.
Patti never let her diagnosis slow her down. She was a woman with many devotions—reading, writing, gardening, and Jeopardy, to name just a few. But she found her greatest happiness as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Alpha Gam. She gave herself joyfully in service to others as a teacher, dedicated fraternity volunteer, mentor, and friend. Patti was often lovingly referred to as the “Mayor of Alpha Gam” because there wasn’t an Alpha Gam in the room she didn’t seem to know. She always went out of her way to make others feel included. Her warmth and positivity were magnetic. Patti entered Chapter Grand in late May, just one day after Founders' Day, but her legacy lives on through an endowed scholarship established by her Delta Eta chapter sisters. The Patricia Carey Floren Endowed Scholarship is a fitting tribute to a woman who was passionate about education and female empowerment. Patti’s entire life was dedicated to these causes. “Patti lived the Purpose every day of her life. We all try to do that, but Patti embodied it,” shared Connie Milam, Patti’s pledge sister and best friend. “If I had to pick one line she perfected, it would be ‘To cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.’ Patti had one million friends. And she was always honing those friendships—especially with those of us who were lucky enough to be in her fold.”
Patricia Carey Floren Endowed Scholarship Providing an example of strength and passion in all avenues of her life, Patricia Carey Floren, Delta Eta-San Diego State University, generously shared the ideals of Alpha Gamma Delta for over 40 years. From collegian to International Council member, from educator to dedicated wife and mother, Patti brought the Alpha Gamma Delta Purpose to her life demonstrating the ideals of sisterhood, leadership, and boundless contributions to all her activities. Given her life of dedication and passion for education and Alpha Gamma Delta, her legacy of strength and passion are being honored with the establishment of the Patricia Carey Floren Scholarship Endowment. If you would like to help Patti’s Delta Eta chapter sisters reach the initial funding goal of $50,000 to establish the fund, mail a check made out to Alpha Gamma Delta Foundationto 8710 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or ® give online.
Her tireless work for the Fraternity began from the moment she graduated. Serving as a chapter consultant was just the beginning of a lifetime of service to Alpha Gamma Delta, which included serving as International Vice President-Membership from 2001 to 2006.
Alpha Gam mothers, and The Leadership Institute—Women With Purpose, Inc., which helped women achieve their leadership potential.
Passionate about mentoring and providing for others, Patti was at the forefront of many of the fraternity’s important personal development initiatives, including a coaching/mentoring program offered through the fraternity’s Volunteer Development Committee. She was instrumental in establishing the Rose Buds program, a network for
Patti impacted many other areas of fraternity programming and was integral to the creation of the fraternity’s education committee, which she continued to serve until her passing. Her enduring commitment to Alpha Gamma Delta was evident in her attainment of five of the Honors of Epsilon Pi. (continued on page 30)
Editor's Note: Last September, I spoke with Patti about highlighting her latest adventure, dragon boat racing, and how she had chosen to LIVE with cancer. After a last-minute decision to make the Spring 2020 issue more collegiate focused, I bumped the article to the fall. While I am so very sad I didn't realize how little time Patti had left on this earth and didn't publish this article before she entered Chapter Grand, I am grateful I was able to have that one last conversation with her. Roses to you, Patti.
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