Some of Our Favorite Memories of Patti
Hillary: Patti was more than just a colleague; she was a cherished friend, confidante, and beacon of authenticity in our lives. Genuineness was Patti’s hallmark. When you spoke to her, you knew you had her full attention. She had an incredible ability to make you feel heard, understood, and valued. No matter the circumstance, Patti always had the right words and a comforting presence that made her the first person you’d want to share your news with, be it joyous or heartbreaking. Patti was also a guiding force. She possessed the remarkable ability to be forthright and honest in a gentle way. If she disagreed with how you were handling a situation or reacting to it, she would hold up a mirror to help you see more clearly. She did this not as a critic but as a friend who genuinely cared about your well-being. Patti was, in essence, a moral compass and advisor to all who had the privilege of knowing her. Patti was not just a colleague; she was family, a friend like no other, and for that, we are eternally grateful. Rest in peace, dear Patti. Your genuine spirit and unwavering friendship will be treasured and missed, but your influence will continue to guide us on our journey.
Rachel: Patti was the rock of our firm, and to me, she was family. Her kindness, unwavering support, and sense of humor touched all of us deeply. Patti had a unique ability to make you feel cared for and important. She was a source of strength and compassion for everyone in her life. Whenever you needed someone to lean on or a reason to smile, Patti was there. Her dedication to our firm and to our extended work family was unparalleled. Patti’s legacy of warmth and resilience will forever be a part of our firm’s history. Patti, you are deeply missed. Barb: I worked with Patti for 25 years, and through it all, she was forever kind and supportive of whatever I needed. I started out with no office experience whatsoever, and she patiently taught me everything I needed to know to have a career working in law firms. I owe her so much; my life would have taken a completely different course without her. I miss her so much … Thank you for being my friend, Patti! Stephanie: The ways in which I admired Patti are numerous: her dedication to the law firm, her great skill set and knowledge of law, and her kindness, generosity, and sense of humor. Yet out of all the ways that I will miss her, I would have to say that I will mostly miss the hat she wore as a workplace counselor. Patti’s office contained one comfy side chair, and it would not be unusual to walk by her office and see a coworker sitting there, sharing their life — and often their life’s problems too. We often joked that the first person to get to the chair in the morning wins, as a few minutes with Patti in the morning was always the best way to start our day. Patti had a unique way of seeming to understand all of us, and no matter how busy she was, she was never too busy to lend a listening ear. Patti was not only my coworker, but also my friend and some days my counselor too. She is truly irreplaceable, and I’m honored to have worked with her for the last nine years. Carrie: Patti would ask how the kids were doing and was genuinely interested when I would share struggles or accomplishments. She offered words of advice, and I tried many of her suggestions at home and work. One memory of Patti is that she wanted to make everyone
Melanie: In the nine, too-short years that I knew Patti, she was my sage advisor, trusted sounding board, sympathetic listener, inside-joke partner, and dearest friend. Together, we shared many laughs and tears, and it is impossible to sum up in just a few lines what she meant to me. So, instead, I will share the message that Patti so often repeated and the principle that guided her life: Empathy is the most important quality for human beings to possess. Through empathy, we learn to understand, accept, forgive, and love each other. There is no better example of empathy personified than our Patti. I am a better person for having known her and loved her, and I will treasure her always.
2 Rinehardt Law | BeSmartLegal.com
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