Patricia Ann Birt Morse, 83, died Jan. 25, 2010 in Lenox, Mass.
She was born April 26, 1927 in Racine, Wisc., daughter of the late Harry and Cathryn Birt of Pittsfield, Mass., and Vero Beach.
She is survived by her husband, Thomas Morse, MD; her sister, Barbara Dow (William) of Philadelphia, South Dartmouth, Mass. and Vero Beach; her children: Jeffery Morse (Jennifer) of Richmond, Mass., Kate Morse Erwin, MD, psychiatrist, Sudbury, Mass.; Amy Morse (and partner Lily Kane), director of the Center for the Development of Coaching and Math Leadership, teacher and author, Northampton, Mass.; Peter Morse, consulting mechanical engineer, Tucson, Ariz.; 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
She attended Mary Burnham School and was a member of the Vassar College class of 1949.
Patty and Tom Morse were married at the Pittsfield Country Club on June 26, 1948. After Tom’s graduation from Cornell University and medical internship in New York City, Tom and Patty moved to Brookline, Mass.
She served as Secretary of the Junior League of Boston from 1950-1960. In 1960, Tom and Patty moved to Ohio where Tom practiced pediatric surgery at Children’s Hospital in Columbus. Patty was a member of the Junior League from 1961-1979, acting Chairman of PLAN, an award program for excellence in landscape and architecture, and served on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Columbus. She was honored with the Cultural Arts Award of the Urban League of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1980, Tom and Patty moved back to Berkshire County and built their home, “Allways”, at Green Meads Farm in Richmond.
She served on the Board of the Trustees of Reservation’s “Naumkeag” in Stockbridge, Mass., from 1985 to 1992, and was a member of the Boston Symphony Executive Board and the BSO Association of Volunteers at Tanglewood (1980-1993).
She enjoyed time with her family and friends at Salter’s Point, South Dartmouth, Mass., their home overlooking Buzzard’s Bay and their home on Riomar Drive in Vero Beach.
Patty worked toward the revival of the McKee Botanical Gardens, where she volunteered for many years.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her name for the continuing care of the McKee Botanical Gardens, 350 US Highway #1, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
