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By Brent Hoffmann, 2005

“I’m a simple person,” Pat admitted.  “I took a river tour before I became a docent, and the docent threw out the term ‘mullions’. I looked at my husband and said, ‘what is she talking about?’  Now, when I give a river tour, I try to explain every architectural term that I use but keep it simple without dumbing it down.  For example, the Leo Burnett building at 35 W. Wacker has silver-colored mullions – which, I explain, are vertical divider(s) in a window. 

“I also like to have fun and make my tour is interactive, especially when I can see my guests’ attentions begin to wander,” she continued. “For example, we often see a Chicago flag near the boat turnaround by Navy Pier, I might ask: ‘What do the four stars on the flag stand for?’  Often, somebody will raise a hand and shout out the answer, and everyone applauds.  Or along the riverwalk, I might ask what Mayor Daley really liked when he visited the city of San Antonio.  And any Texans aboard will nod in recognition, then yell, ‘the riverwalk.”

Took Nuns’ Advice

Pat grew up in the Avondale neighborhood on Chicago’s northwest side.  “I went to Catholic elementary and secondary schools,” said Pat, “and was good in math and science.  But women didn’t go into technical fields or become architects in those days, so the nuns told me be a teacher or a nurse. I became a nurse.

“I worked with oncology patients, and they gave me such a wonderful perspective on life.  I learned so much more from them than I could have offered. Then I was hired by Travelers Insurance and worked for its subsidiary, UnitedHealthcare.  I got an MBA from DePaul University, worked for Travelers for 23 years and ended my career as regional vice president in charge of clinical operations throughout the Midwest.  I retired in 2010.  

“I have seven grandchildren, including a granddaughter who is a registered nurse and works on the oncology floor at Northwestern Hospital in Chicago.  My oldest granddaughter is a surgical resident at Northwestern, and her sister is a physician’s assistant at the same hospital.”  So, it’s no surprise that Pat’s favorite TV show is “Grey’s Anatomy.”

Chicago Best Seen From the River

“Growing up, as soon as my sister and I were old enough, on our days off, we’d take the Milwaukee Ave. bus down to the Loop and explore the buildings,” she continued.  “They were so beautiful. I loved the lobbies. That’s why I became a docent in 2001. I find the beauty of the city is best captured on the river because of the diversity of the architecture and the many stories about the history of the city that blend into the tour. It’s the best way to give a tourist or native Chicagoan the total picture of the city.

“One of my tour highlights happened in 2012.  A group of Congressional Medal of Honor winners were on my boat.  Some were in wheelchairs, so they rode in the forward bow deck.  The captain came out and saluted them.  It was so moving. They wore their medals, those beautiful blue ribbons.”

In addition to Pat’s tour duties, she coaches and certifies river docents, and is a member of the docent Standards Committee.

Volunteers

“I lead the outreach committee at St. Simons Episcopal church near my home in Arlington Heights,” she continued. “We raise funds to feed the underserved in the community.  I volunteer at Makerspace at the Arlington Heights Library. I belong to a book club, knit, and play mahjong.  Also, I sit on the board and chair the maintenance committee at my 70-unit condo.”

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