5 minute read
Sister Profile
To the Fullest
By Beth Hartnett Jager, Delta Tau–Chapman University
Alpha 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.”
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. 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 Alpha Gam mothers, and The Leadership Institute—Women With Purpose, Inc., which helped women achieve their leadership potential. 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.
With her family at her daughter’s college graduation in 2017.
With Connie Milam, her pledge sister and close friend of 44 years.
One of Patti’s most recent adventures was competing with Team Survivor Sea Dragons, a dragon boat racing team for cancer survivors. “It has helped me reclaim my physical confidence,” she said in a local TV interview in 2018.
“She shared so many visions and ideas on how to move the Fraternity forward. Her ideas, her love of learning, her love of teaching,” said Wendi Kepner Damico, Delta Beta–Washington State University, who served under Patti on the VST. “She was one of the most positive and uplifting people I’ve ever known. It was an honor to call her sister.”
In addition to her service to Alpha Gamma Delta, Patti loved giving back to her community. She was a loyal supporter of the San Diego School for the Performing arts, the Methodist Church, and the Girl Scouts of America. Patti cared deeply about the value of education and promoting the importance of lifelong learning. She helped instill this idea in the many students she taught in schools throughout San Diego.
Patti’s legacy lives on through her students and the people and causes she championed. She will be remembered by the countless people who loved her for both the many ways in which she contributed to the world’s work as well as for her thoughtful approach to pursuing those passions. “What do I want people to know about Patti? That she was one in a million—that she loved every minute of her life—that she was a fighter— that she was the consummate Alpha Gam,” Connie said. “Loyal, honest, non-judgmental, supportive, inspiring, and FUN are the words that come to mind. I often wonder what I’m going to do without her.”
Patti (back row, third from left) at her Delta Eta Initiation, November 14, 1976.
Beth channels her inner Lois Lane for several news outlets in southern California. When not writing, she enjoys being a mom to daughter, Aurora, and serving as a board member for the Orange County Alumnae Chapter. Beth is the Associate Director of Institutional Philanthropy and Sponsored Research at Claremont McKenna College. • Additional thanks to Patti Holcombe Gylock, Delta Eta–San Diego State University, and friends for helping us compile information for this article.
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 Foundation to 8710 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 or give online at alphagammadeltafoundation.org.
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.
