Patricia Kate von Bibra passed away at her home in South Pasadena, CA, on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at the age of 92. All five of her children and several of her 10 grandchildren had gathered to be with her in her final days.
Pat was born to Cleo Harris and Stephen Fletcher Terry in Chico, CA, on March 2, 1931. She graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s in International Relations in 1952, where she met her future husband, Conrad von Bibra. As students, they served as president and vice president of the Stanford Institute of International Relations. She and Conrad were married in Fresno on December 29, 1952. The couple raised their five children in South Pasadena after moving here in 1961.
Throughout her life, Pat was a tireless volunteer, who dedicated most of her waking hours to the service of others. She was a pillar of Calvary Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir, cooked endless meals for special events, and served as Elder, Deacon, Sunday school teacher, and youth group leader.
Pat was also a very active volunteer in the South Pasadena public school system, serving as president of the Marengo Elementary School PTA in 1971-2 and South Pasadena High School PTSA in 1979-80. Pat’s other biggest volunteer role was in Rotary International. After Conrad was chosen in 1993 to serve as governor for Rotary International District 5300, they both dedicated a great deal of time and energy to connecting local Rotary clubs with international service projects and hosting Rotarians from around the globe. A highlight of the year was Pat and Conrad’s trip to India to help with Rotary’s effort to eradicate polio.
Pat further served her community by volunteering for South Pasadena Beautiful and the United Way. She and Conrad were enthusiastic members of the board of trustees of Heritage & Tradition, a nonprofit educational corporation dedicated to the dissemination of world folk culture, primarily through AVAZ International Dance Theatre. In addition to these more formal roles, Pat reached out a helping hand informally to many people throughout her lifetime. When she saw a need, she did her best to fill it. Over the years, she and Conrad opened their home to a number of individuals, especially international students from all over the world, including Mongolia, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Mexico. This generosity was focused on helping others in need, but for their family, it also opened a world of learning more about different cultures firsthand through people from across the globe.
All of this kept Pat very busy, but she and Conrad still managed to indulge their mutual love of travel. They camped their way across the United States and Europe with their children every summer. Later, they journeyed all over the world, usually inviting various family members to join them. Throughout their married life, they worked to restore Conrad’s ancestral home in Germany, where the family spent many happy summers.
Aside from Conrad, Pat’s lifelong best friend was her beloved sister, Peggy. As identical twins, their bond was extraordinary. Both had five children, and they all spent as much time together as possible. Peggy and her husband, Rod, moved to Alhambra after his retirement in order to be near Pat and Conrad. The four ate dinner together almost every night for many years and traveled together extensively.
Pat was an exceptional human being, who always put kindness first and herself last. People were drawn to her, always sure of a warm welcome and genuine interest in their lives and well-being. These qualities, combined with her intelligence and work ethic, made her a potent force for good in her family, community, and the wider world. All who knew her, but especially her children, grandchildren and extended family, were incredibly blessed to have such an inspiring example, as well as such a loving presence in their lives.
Pat was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Conrad, her sister, Joy Renton, her niece Laurie Mendes, and nephew David Ingraham. She is survived by her twin sister Peggy, her five children: Brenn von Bibra, Anne Louise (Vince) Wharton, Margaret Joy Gill, Carl (Elizabeth) von Bibra, Terry (Olga) von Bibra, and 10 grandchildren: Kilian (Jaslyn), Margaret Louise, Marie-Sophie, Lorenz, Franz-Leopold, Thomas (Samantha), Noah, Alex, Maria-Letizia, and Adrian, as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 10, at 1 p.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 1050 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donating to one of the following:
Calvary Presbyterian Church (P.O. Box 362, South Pasadena, CA 91030 or cpcsouthpas.org)
South Pasadena Rotary Foundation (P.O. Box 362. South Pasadena, CA 91031)
Union Rescue Mission Los Angeles (545 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles, CA 90013 or urm.org)
RJC FoundationUSA (RJC
foundationUSA.org)
