In Memory of Her – Patricia Horsley
“Patricia Horsley: Celebration of Gratitude for a Global Friend”
7/16/25 U.S. | 7/17/25 Australia
The Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) delighted in collaborating with the members of WATAC (Women and the Australian Church) for a celebration of our friend Patricia Horsley. Her care for and support of both groups was a wonderful articulation of her generative love shared with so many.
A video of the event can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mI1A9oWrXJA.
The program included theologian Mary E. Hunt’s WATER welcome (attached), as well as theologian Tracy McEwen’s WATAC introductory remarks (attached). A brief slide show (which can be seen on the video) gave the 35+ participants from both groups a sense of who Patricia was and what she did. Sociologist Kathleen McPhillips sketched some of Patricia’s biography (attached) followed by Mary E. Hunt’s remarks on Patricia’s WATER connection (attached). Liturgist Diann L. Neu closed the program with a ritual (attached) focusing on Wisdom.
People in small groups chatted about their experiences of Patricia. We also talked about how we can continue her legacy of generative love, as Mary E. Hunt described it, as we go about the work of religiously informed social justice.
In the plenary discussion, people who had never met Patricia said that they felt as if they knew her! Stories of and by Patricia are always vivid. Patricia made them think of other creative, supportive women in their lives. Several family members remarked on how meaningful the whole event was for them. One participant noted that Patricia’s “good death,” surrounded by family and at home, gave her much to consider about her own death, including the possibility of offering a university course on the topic. A WATAC colleague reported that forthcoming WATAC programs to be held in various parts of Australia will honor Patricia’s memory.
A brief closing ritual with Diann Neu concluded our formal time together as “We carry on her legacy.”
The gathering was truly a celebration of gratitude for Patricia’s full and meaningful life. It was also a chance for friends and family to meet, and for people who did not know Patricia to become aware of her place of honor among WATAC and WATER colleagues. Gratitude abounds.
NOTE: WATAC provided Patricia’s response to their survey questions in a telephone interview (attached) as well as an article by Patricia Madigan on the history of WATAC (attached).
Attachments:
1. Mary E. Hunt Opening Remarks for Patricia Horsley
2. Tracy McEwan/WATAC memories of Patricia Horsley
3. Kath McPhillips on Patricia Horsley / Biography
4. How the Connection between Patricia and WATER Emerged and Evolved
5. Closing Ritual for Patricia Horsley by Diann L. Neu
6. WATAC Response from Patricia Horsley, Age 90 (by phone, 30 November 2020)
