Dr. Patrice A. Clemson

January 01, 1970

Dr. Patrice A. Clemson, 58, of Economy, passed away Tuesday, July 6, 2010. Patrice was born Aug. 16, 1951, in Bethlehem, Pa., a daughter of William and Dolores (Hopkins) Clemson. She graduated from Muhlenberg College in 1973 with a degree in political science. She later received her master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Informational Sciences. Most of her career has been as faculty or staff in academic institutions. She began her career at the New York University Graduate School of Business; subsequent positions were at the Penn State University Pattee Library, the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Duquesne University and the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. She was also the University of Pittsburgh’s data administrator in the computer services and systems development department. Most recently, Patrice was a faculty member in the College of Information Sciences and Technology at Penn State University’s Beaver Campus. She believed strongly that university faculty in her field should have practical experience in industry. Consequently, she also was employed for several years in the information services and data processing divisions of National Data Corporation and Pittsburgh National Corporation. Patrice was a talented fiber artist and weaver. She never tired of telling her students how the modern computer is a direct descendent of the programmable Jacquard loom of the 19th century. She also was an accomplished musician who spent many hours at her piano. She was a fan of all varieties of music. Patrice performed with the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh for several years and sang in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood during the many years she and her family resided in Edgewood. She also played with the church’s Handbell Choirs. Since moving to the country six years ago, Patrice became an avid birdwatcher and an enthusiastic gardener. She and her students became regular volunteers at Old Economy Village in Ambridge, where they worked on developing websites and computer systems for recording and indexing the many historic documents and artifacts maintained at the site. In recognition of her many efforts to bring together the campus and business communities to provide internship and employment opportunities for her students, the Penn State Advisory Board awarded Patrice the Faculty Excellence in Service Award for Outstanding Service to the University, Society and the Profession. She was a longstanding member of several professional societies, including the American Society for Information Science and Technology, the Association for Computing Machinery and the American Library Association. In addition, she was a member of the Butler Spinners and Weavers Guild. Patrice is survived by her brother, Commander James F. Clemson, retired Navy; her daughter, Meredith G. Hennon; her son, William P. Hennon; and her loving husband, Dr. John G. Hennon. Visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. until the time of service at 1 p.m. Saturday at DEVLIN FUNERAL HOME OF CRANBERRY, 2678 Rochester Road, Cranberry Township, PA 16066, 724-772-8800. Burial will be in Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh.