Patricia E Garrett's Obituary
Patricia “Pat” Garrett, 79, of Holmes Beach and Portland, Maine, died March 2 after a yearlong struggle with colon cancer.
She was an accomplished biochemist, earning an undergraduate degree at St. Francis College in Pennsylvania, a master’s degree at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate from the University of Colorado. She conducted cutting-edge research on HIV/AIDS at SeraCare Life Sciences 1988-2012 and at Immunetics Inc. 2014-17.
Mrs. Garrett published numerous articles and served as a role model to many young scientists. One of her colleagues described her as “a wise and sage mentor to all, always going out of her way to help and educate others.” She retired in 2017 to care for her husband and to spend more time on Anna Maria Island but she remained active in her field by opening a consulting firm specializing in quality control, method evaluation and infectious disease testing.
In recent years, she enjoyed exercise and yoga with friends, and dining out. She was thoughtful, compassionate and loved making new friends, many of whom remained in touch from around the world. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. A highlight for her in 2022 was a fun-filled Garrett-Ball family reunion in Holmes Beach.
No services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity.
Mrs. Garrett is survived by sister Kathy and husband George Ball; stepson David and wife Marjan Sedgh; and many nieces and nephews and their children.
I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
What’s your fondest memory of Patricia?
What’s a lesson you learned from Patricia?
Share a story where Patricia's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Patricia you’ll never forget.
How did Patricia make you smile?