XYZ – eXtra Years of Zest
We cordially invite all retirees to join our group for fun, food and fellowship with some of the finest folks around. We meet the 3rd Tuesday and the last Friday of each month. Look for gatherings on the church calendar in the bulletin or newsletter.
COME, BE A PART OF THIS FANTASTIC GROUP OF MATURE ADULTS!
SPOTLIGHT ON PAT FITZSIMMONS…….
Our extremely talented organist, Dr. Patricia Fitzsimmons, was born in Russellville, Kentucky, to John and Edith (Campbell) Fitzsimmons. Pat was one of three girls – sisters, Lois Jean and Molly were also part of this Kentucky clan.
Pat did undergraduate work at Virginia Intermont College and received her BA from Florida State. Both her Bachelor and Masters of Music were from the University of Alabama. Her DMA came from the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York.
To say that Pat has had an interesting career would be quite an understatement! She began teaching piano at the Mobile Conservatory of Music in 1955. In addition to teaching, she also was the organist for Government Street Methodist Church in Mobile during this time. She has served as organist for Covenant Presbyterian in Tuscaloosa, All Saints Episcopal in Mobile, Church of the Epiphany in Gates, New York, as well as South Highland, Springville and Grace Presbyterian churches in the Birmingham area. And, these were just her “weekend” jobs!
From 1967-1999, Dr. Fitzsimmons taught at Jefferson State Community College where she taught Organ, Music Appreciation, Theory Honors classes and Piano. In her spare time, Pat has been involved as a member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Association of University Women, both the Birmingham and Alabama Music Teachers Association, as well as serving on the Music and Organ Task Force of Independent Presbyterian Church. Pat also finds times to be involved with the XYZ’s and Circle One of Grace.
An interesting fact that you might not know about Pat is that she loves to travel, especially to France, where she at one time might have ended up, if her journey had taken a different path. She would love to have taught French and become a writer!
Pat Fitzsimmons is a genuinely good person…talented beyond belief, with a depth of knowledge about music that would amaze most of us. She is always willing to be available to accompany choirs, soloists and even a good old fashioned Sing-a-long.
If you have not spent time with Pat, I encourage you to do so. I think that you’ll agree that she is a wealth of knowledge and is willing to share it with you.
We are truly blessed to have Dr. Patricia Fitzsimmons on staff at Grace Presbyterian. Let her know that!