Pat’s story begins in a bustling household, where her mother, Almeda, was a pillar of strength and creativity. A culinary artist, nurse, teacher, designer, and gracious hostess, Almeda’s nurturing spirit laid the foundation for Pat’s own nurturing—both of her family and her artistic soul. From her earliest days, Pat knew the warmth of a home filled with hospitality, the beauty of handcrafted garments, and the importance of caring for others.
Her father, Howard Kennedy, was an inventor and engineer whose ingenuity and perseverance built a legacy that endured through storms of change—wars, depressions, and technological leaps. His creativity in metalwork inspired Pat to see the beauty in craftsmanship and the importance of resilience. He co-founded Kennedy Manufacturing—an enduring Ohio company that withstood the test of time—and from him, Pat inherited a spirit of innovation and resilience.
As the youngest of eight children, Pat was influenced by her sister Frances, a talented ceramic artist. Even as a child, she doodled and sketched, her imagination bursting with colors and forms. But life’s responsibilities—military, marriage, children, the busyness of family—temporarily paused her artistic pursuits. Yet, her spirit remained restless, waiting patiently for the moment when her creative flame could reignite.
That moment came in the 1970s when Pat, now with grown children, stepped back into her art. She joined the Wassenberg Art Center, eager to learn and grow. Her studies took her to Indiana University and St. Francis College, where she explored oils, watercolors, pastels, and there were countless art workshops she took to hone her craft by noted professionals. With each brushstroke and each new technique, Pat’s work blossomed—an explosion of tranquility, warmth, and subtle vibrancy. Viewers would often say her paintings felt like a gentle embrace—a peaceful place of being.
Her artistry was not just a hobby; it was a testament to her unyielding courage and commitment. She won awards, not for fame or fortune, but because her work touched hearts, reminding all of the beauty that resides in patience, practice, and passion.
Pat’s talents extended beyond the canvas. She was a gifted musician, tickling the ivories with grace, filling her home and church with melodies that uplifted spirits. Her loyalty and practicality, hallmarks of her Capricorn nature, made her a pillar of her community and family.
Her greatest masterpiece, perhaps, was the relationship she cultivated with her daughter, Patti. Mother and daughter, working side by side in their studio, shared a mutual love for art—an inheritance of creativity and resilience. Through them, Pat passed on her love for life’s simple beauties, her unwavering dedication, and her belief that doing what you love is the truest form of courage.
Today, I pay homage to Pat Pancake—a woman who understood that true strength lies in the quiet acts of perseverance and kindness. Maya Angelou once said, “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency.” Pat exemplified this truth, living her life with unwavering commitment, nurturing her talents, her family, and her community.
Her father’s legacy of resilience and ingenuity lives on in her story—a reminder that the greatest inheritance is not material wealth but the courage to create, to love, and to endure. Though she has passed, her spirit remains alive in the colors she chose, the melodies she shared, and the lives she illuminated.
A Poetic Reflection
In the quiet stillness of a painted sky,
Her courage blossomed, reaching high.
With every brush and gentle note,
She crafted a life—a resilient boat.
Her legacy, a vibrant hue,
A testament to what love can do.
In every stroke, in every song,
Her spirit lingers, forever strong.
So let us carry her color bright,
A beacon shining through the night.
For in her story, we find our way—
To live with courage, come what may.
Community Profile series by Ben Rayman
In 2006, Pat was featured in the Art-to-Art Palette Journal. I do not know how to exactly say it, but she was one of the best that has entered my world.
KFrymeyer
- Edit
Masterpiece of a tribute. I knew her then.