OBITUARY FOR PATRICIA FREDERICK
Memorial Mass 11 AM
Thursday 8.28.25
St. Andrew by the Bay Parish
701 College Pkwy, Annapolis, MD 21409
DAY BY DAY
PATRICIA FREDERICK
1.7.44 - 8.7.25
Patricia Frederick, 81, of Annapolis, Maryland, passed away peacefully at her home on August 7, 2025. Born in Washington, D.C., to parents Mary Catherine “Perry” Bayer and William Robert Perry, she has now joyfully reunitedk in heaven with her beloved husband, Rodney Earl Frederick, with whom she shared a fabulous 52-year marriage. They were not only partners in life but also best friends, whose love and devotion set an example for all who knew them. She lived life Day By Day and reminded her family not to worry “GOD has a plan”. She will be remembered for her kindness, compassion, and the unconditional love she gave so freely.
May both of their souls rest in peace.
Patricia graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in Washington, D.C. . At one point she moved to California and lived there for a bit exploring the West Coast! She loved to travel & explore. She actually applied to become a flight attendant but they told her her calves were not the same size so they didn’t accept her! Wow… right? She went on to work at the Naval Research Laboratory and later became the editor and wrote for several publications where she educated the public on healthy food choices among other things.
Patricia was a devout Catholic, a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a cherished friend to many. Her favorite color was blue.
A true pioneer, Patricia devoted decades of her life to advocating for healthier food standards in schools and communities. She served on numerous boards and organizations dedicated to eliminating artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives from children’s diets.
Her mantra, “You are what you eat”, became a guiding principle for many. Her advocacy connected her to movements such as the Feingold Diet - Dr. Ben Feingold and The Yeast Connection - William Crook. M.D. - where her name and contributions remain recognized.
Passions, Hobbies & Traditions
Patricia found joy in the simple and beautiful moments of life. Spending time with her family was what she lived for and she looked forward to every moment that she had with each person. She always had a solution to problems and listened thoughtfully. She had a really good sense of humor too, and quite a wit about her. Most people found her refreshing and called her a “HOOT”. She had an open, honest heart and saw the good in everyone.
She enjoyed hosting holiday gatherings, crab feasts and any other celebrations.
She was ecstatic when she had dates/outings planned with her girlfriends and her “sister lunches & visits. She valued those moments and friendships so much.
She was happy to join in any activities involving the snow, beach or water- snow men, ice skating, swimming, boating, ocean visits, water skiing,pool side sits, water slides, inter tubing, sledding and even water aerobics!
For many years she bowled on a duck pin bowling team & with her family for fun and she has the most awesome ball launch. Bowled a lot of strikes too!!
She was a gifted gardener -superior green thumb- she could save any plant and her garden was always blooming! She was awarded “Yard of the Month” many times.
She also liked to read and found peace at the beach, collecting shells- watching the waves, flying kites & making memories with family & friends.
Keeping family traditions alive was very important to Patricia.
Easter egg hunts, clues to help find Christmas stockings and the very important - around the dinner table annual question. “What are you thankful for this year?”
Each year was the Perry family Christmas party and she couldn’t wait to put the guessing jars together for all the kids (and adults) ! The Summer family Crab Feasts and Potluck gatherings were always looked forward to.
One other thing she loved was entertaining children who visited the house with different games and fun activities for them to do to stay entertained while the adults visited . She truly had a gift. A bucket and some balls was all it took!
She learned how to crochet at a young age and could be found at any moment putting together potholders, hats or scarves that she would put in a bin and offer to every visitor to try on - then take with them when they left the house.
Many people still have those as well as hand towels with crochet at the top as memories of her.
She even started to make jewelry at one point. She really enjoyed creating things and sharing them with others.
Patricia was also an animal lover through and through. Over the years, the family had pet squirrels, bunnies, a rat, snake, parakeets, dogs, chickens & way too many gerbils. She cherished all her animals, especially her longtime fish companions, including her algae eaters who thrived for decades.
She never missed a beat caring for them all. Even in her final days, she was feeding the squirrels peanuts & making sure the bird feeders were full so she could watch the feeding frenzy. Blue Jays, Cardinals, Robins & and occasional Oriole visited.
Every dog she ever had was treated as an extension of the family—her “fur kids”—and though she knew it was a “no-no,” she happily fed them at the table right alongside everyone else. “Treats” was a household word.
Patricia was also a wonderful cook. She prepared homemade dinners for her family and made her special homemade granola and chocolate chip cookies. The refrigerator was always stocked for anyone who came through the door. No visitor left her home without eating, just as a good mother and grandmother would make sure of. She made cards with her treasured recipes so that her family could continue sharing her dishes and keeping her traditions alive.
Of all her favorites, chocolate was her greatest love—chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate oh- and everyone knows a “hot fudge sundae with a fish fillet sandwich from McDonald’s” - as healthy as she was - that was her one big cheat!
In the evenings, she enjoyed a glass of Merlot, and every now and then, she would treat herself to a Brandy Alexander, which she proudly taught her family how to make “the right way.”
Her home was always open—whether for a game of Farkle, finishing a puzzle, or simply sharing laughter. Patricia delighted in card games, puzzles, Christian and oldies music, watching Netflix, Hallmark Movies, cop shows like NCIS, Blue Bloods and Law & Order.
She delighted in her daily routines - watering the flowers, plants and filling the bird baths, listening to music, sitting out on her deck- listening to and watching the birds and squirrels enjoy the outside playground she built for them.
A true socialite, Patricia never went off to an outing without her lipstick, earrings, and radiant smile. She made sure to match her outfits too and was quick to remind those accompanying her to brush their hair, put on their lipstick too! She talked to everyone when she was out and about - she said it was the “Perry Gift of Gab”. She embraced every opportunity to celebrate life, whether on a date with Rodney or in the company of dear friends, family and most especially her children & grandkids. She made birthdays special -when she remembered them - if they were on her “calendar.” She always would call and sing happy birthday, another tradition of hers, that will be remembered by all and carried on…
A Life of Service and Family
Together with Rodney, Patricia birthed 3 children and opened her home and heart to children in need. Over the course of more than 25 years, they served as foster parents in Anne Arundel County, MD touching the lives of over 400 children through emergency, short-term, and long-term shelter care. Their shared dedication enriched countless lives reflecting the depth of their generosity and love.
She was active in her community and loved by all. She enjoyed shopping at the local grocery stores, donating items at Partners in Care in Severna Park, thrift store shopping, going to the music concerts at Goshen Farm and attending the annual Strawberry festival at Cape Beach.
Legacy and Loved Ones
Patricia is survived by her sisters, Sally Bielaski and Susie Pollock; her children, Renee Elaine Brennan, Dawn Eileen Frederick, and David Alan Frederick; and her grandchildren, Nicole Brennan, Bobby Brennan, Alyssa Frederick, and Connor Frederick.
She will also be remembered by her “children from other mothers - children of the heart,” including Lori Windsor, Rick Pike, Sabrina O’Brien, Richard Christiansen, and the hundreds of foster children whose lives she and Rodney so deeply touched.
Patricia’s enduring spirit of kindness and her ability to see the good in everyone made her loved by all. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, service, and joy.
Services and Remembrance
A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, August 28, at 11:00 AM at Saint Andrew by the Bay Parish in Annapolis, with light refreshments to follow. A Celebration of Life will also take place at a later date, to be announced in the Gazette and on social media.
Patricia generously donated her body to the Maryland State Anatomy Board for the advancement of medical education and research, a gift that will continue to benefit future generations.
Honoring Patricia’s Memory
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you honor Patricia’s lifelong spirit of giving by considering one of the following:
• Donating gently used items to Partners In Care (8151-C Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122), an organization Patricia supported and loved.
• Contributing to My Three Angels Foundation, a nonprofit founded by her daughter, Dawn Frederick, to rescue and care for abandoned, abused & stray animals in Puerto Rico . Contact Dawn to donate 787-688-1691
