In loving memory of Patricia Van Slyke

Pat is survived by her sister Donna Trojanowski, and two sons, Scott and Kirk Van Slyke

Born in California on July 14, 1936 to Donald and Ora Tunnicliff (nee Look), Patricia (Pat to those who knew her) began her love of learning and the outdoors early. She also traveled well, living in California, Idaho, Texas, Virginia, and Georgia.

Pat passed on her appreciation for the natural world and widely varied interests to her sons, and readily engaged others on virtually any topic.

Pat enjoyed virtually anything that took her outside, hiking, camping, gardening and bird-watching. A child of the west, she enjoyed regularly returning to California or Washington, where she grew up hiking and camping with her family, and occasionally shoo-ing bears out of a tent. Later in life, Pat travelled on hiking tours with friends and fellow travelers to England, Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland, even teaching English to students in Heraklion, Greece. Closer to home, Pat worked with immigrant families from Iraq and Vietnam, teaching English and providing assistance as needed.

Along with teaching, learning was a huge portion of Pat’s life. Completing her BS in Science while raising two sons, she completed her MS in Library Science before taking a position as a Reference Librarian for Fairfax County Public Libraries. As an avid reader, Pat prodigiously consumed books and engaged in book clubs covering a wide variety of topics, from religion to politics, science, and the humanities.

If there is anything that Pat took most seriously, it was an interest in politics. She was a member of the League of Women Voters for years, volunteered at polling places, and never missed a vote. When Pat had her stroke in the fall of 2024, leaving her without speech or the ability to write, her son Kirk made sure that she was able to vote in the elections that fall. That simple act filled her with joy! One thing she would say if she was still present: Please be sure to vote!

Pat asked that there be no service when she passed, but if you are interested in doing something in her honor or memory, please consider a donation to one of the organizations she supported below.

We’ll miss you mom!

Heifer International https://www.heifer.org/

The Elephant Project https://www.theelephantproject.com/

Mercy Ships https://www.mercyships.org/

Doctors Without Borders https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

League of Women Voters https://www.lwv.org/