Pat Ritchings was an extraordinary leader who, in her role as Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, managed to simultaneously steer us through the busy present while imagining possibilities for Osborne’s future.

In every interaction, from coffee breaks to strategy sessions, Pat projected warmth, kindness, and wisdom. Our colleagues who worked closely with her credit her for helping them think more analytically and focus on goals – always, as one put it, “toward the betterment of all.” We remember her for her steady, thoughtful leadership; her patience and encouragement; her energy and discipline; and her unflagging positivity throughout her nearly 31 years at Osborne.

It is hard to imagine now, but we were operating from a garden apartment in 1991, when Elizabeth Gaynes hired Pat as Osborne’s third employee. Her mandate was growth, building from the ground up the programs, structures, and culture of the powerhouse organization we are today.

As a result, we see Pat’s imprint and influence everywhere: in our devotion to children and families who come to our community sites and Family Centers; in our dedication to participants in every facility and neighborhood to which they return; and in our commitment to our mission and to one another as a staff pursuing excellence together.

In so many ways, we are who we are because of Pat Ritchings. As we move ahead doing Osborne’s vital work, in the “Osborne way” that she exemplified, we hold her in our hearts.

You can read her obituary here.