Patience Anne “Pat” Schenck

Schenck—Patience Anne “Pat” Schenck, 88, on July 4, 2025, following a struggle with cancer, at Friends House retirement community in Sandy Spring, Md. Pat was born to Elaine and James Garretson on July 2, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa. She was the eldest of five siblings. Pat grew up in Hamilton and Park Forest, Ill. She moved to Annapolis, Md., in 1955 to attend St. John’s College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree and met her husband, Peter Schenck (they later separated). Pat went on to complete her master’s in education from the University of Chicago. Her teaching experience ranged from inner city Chicago schools to Key School, a private pre-K–12 school in Annapolis. Following a career change, she was director of continuing education at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists until her retirement.

In 1966, Pat’s spiritual seeking landed her at Annapolis Friends Meeting (AFM), then in its early days. She reportedly served on every then-existing committee, clerked most of them, and founded two: Pastoral Care and Outreach. She served as the clerk of AFM for several years, and was a founder of Midweek Worship, which for decades nourished Friends and built community.

In meeting for worship, Pat spoke rarely and briefly but with powerfully deep messages and prayers. She encouraged Friends to accept all messages and translate the wording for their own understanding. To help Friends speak with Spirit’s leading, she noted that extroverts should discern carefully before speaking and introverts should speak up readily.

Pat gave an annual talk on Quakerism at a local school. At AFM, she made sure Friends were aware of Pendle Hill offerings, Friends Journal articles, and adult education opportunities—even advertising the Meetings for Learning in the local newspaper to bring in non-Quakers. A history of AFM from 1963 to 1993 was authored by Pat.

Pat rarely missed an annual session of Baltimore Yearly Meeting (BYM) in over 50 years. She was a founding member of BYM’s Working Group on Racism, and served on and clerked several other committees, including Nominating and the Women’s Retreat.

Pat authored two Pendle Hill pamphlets, Answering the Call to Heal the World (number 383, 2006) about the journey to discern one’s spiritual leadings and bring them into action; and Living Our Testimony on Equality: A White Friend’s Experience (number 415, 2011) about her inner process as a white person, as well as her outward work against race-based injustice. She also wrote numerous articles and book reviews for Friends Journal.

Pat touched the lives of so many with her wisdom, love, and commitment to social justice. Known in Annapolis for her social justice work, Pat served on the Human Relations Commission, Conflict Resolution Center, and Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform. She was very proud to receive the 2017 Peace Maker Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Committee of Maryland.

Pat was devoted to her two children and their spouses, John “Ben” Schenck and Ama Rogan of New Orleans, La.; and Sarah Schenck and Christian Baessler of Konstanz, Germany; as well as her three grandchildren.

Pat was predeceased by her parents and a sister, Deborah Garretson.

She is survived by two children, Ben Schenck (Ama Rogan) and Sarah Schenck (Christian Baessler); three grandchildren; three siblings, Peter Garretson (Carole), Nancy (Richard), and Elisabeth Lehr (Robert); and a brother-in-law, John Venne. Her beloved life partner, Ted Riley, passed away just a few weeks later on August 19, 2025, at Friends House.