Dr. Patricia Eileen Boverie, affectionately known as Patsy, passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of August 17th, 2024 in Seattle, WA. Patsy was born to Dr. Robert Floyd Boverie and Mary Eileen Sweeney Boverie in El Paso, Texas on March 4th, 1953. She was 71 years old.

One of seven siblings, Patsy showed an enthusiasm and aptitude for learning including becoming a voracious reader in childhood. She would often be found by her brothers and sisters hiding for hours in the basement so she could both devour a book while also keenly observe as Dr. Boverie spent time on his hobbies, notably woodworking. Like all the Boverie kids, Patsy attended Catholic school, eventually graduating from Loretto Academy. It was at Loretto where she made many lifelong friends and began to demonstrate a personal potential and ambition capable of recognition at national levels.

At 14 years old, Patsy and a childhood friend broke the current “space capsule” isolation record in a makeshift capsule erected in the backyard. After 7 days, both girls emerged as local heroes, garnering national attention for their record breaking feat, and set the tone for Patsy’s impact in the years to come. Upon graduation from Loretto, she earned the Presidential Scholarship, awarded to fewer than 160 students nationally each year and all but guaranteed acceptance to the university of the recipients’ choice. Notably, while Patsy had a chance to leave her home for schools across the nation, she ultimately chose to stay in El Paso which set the course for what would be a lifelong attachment to the American Southwest, ranging from El Paso, to Austin, and eventually Albuquerque with only occasional residence in the Pacific Northwest.

After graduating from the University of Texas at El Paso with a business degree, Patsy simultaneously plunged into marriage, parenthood, and work. She had a son, Brian, with her first husband, Edward Saab, while also working at their family barbecue restaurant and later in Human Resources for a large regional bank. While the restaurant and HR jobs would pass, Patsy’s curious mind and keen interest in people led her to pursue advanced degrees in Clinical and Educational Psychology, which culminated in a move to Austin, TX where she completed her PhD in 1988 at the University of Texas at Austin. While in Austin, Patsy remarried to Blaine Henderson, and had the first of her two daughters, Elizabeth. Much like in El Paso, she developed lifelong friendships in Austin, many of which she’s kept up with over the years.

From Austin, Patsy moved with her family to Ellensburg, WA for her first Professorship in the Educational Psychology department at Central Washington University. The stay in Washington proved a short two years, but in that time she had her second daughter, Marie, and solidified what would be her life’s work, the teaching of organizational theory, eventually focusing on passion for work. Teaching organizational psychology included postdoctoral work at the University of British Columbia and Harvard University, but most importantly brought her to Albuquerque, NM, where she spent the better part of three decades teaching at the University of New Mexico before retiring in 2018.

A brilliant and beloved professor and Chair of the Organization, Information, & Learning Sciences (OILS) department at UNM, she changed the lives of hundreds of students in her 28 years there. She was known for her work in finding passion in the workplace, transformational learning, and organizational leadership. Her book about passion for work called Transforming Work made her a leading figure on the subject; she was invited to speak on passion around the world, awarded the Global HRD Leadership Award, and impacted many companies through her consulting company, Boverie, Kroth & Associates.

Above all, her priority and chief reward in her career was working with her doctoral students, whom she offered time, attention, guidance, and camaraderie unmatched across the faculty at UNM. She proudly chaired more than 30 doctorates at UNM. She saw promise in her students and encouraged them to pursue degrees that many of them thought weren’t possible – this genuine belief in them garnered her a Teacher of the Year award and numerous nominations for the Presidential Teaching Award; but more importantly created lifelong friendships with these students, many of whom kept in touch with her even in her last few years.

With a commitment to stewardship, her warm and giving nature inspired Patsy to give back to her community throughout her adult life. As a consummate educator, she reached well beyond the halls of higher education. She reveled in her passion for dance, spending years teaching ballet to both toddlers and adults at renowned Fishback Studio, while also warmly supporting her daughters in their own dance journeys. Additionally, she was very involved in her community both on a regional and national level, including serving as the President-Elect of the Albuquerque Rape Crisis Center, receiving a White House appointed seat on the board of the Defense Language Institute, and donating her time to various progressive political campaigns. Even at the end of her life, Patsy showed her public mindedness by caring for her elderly neighbors. Although her illness prevented her from doing more, she was always looking for ways to give back, like reading to children in the hospital or donating clothes to those in need.

Patsy’s caring energy didn’t stop in the classroom as students, friends, and family can attest. Her home was a safe haven and one where she cared for an array of pets and her expansive Southwestern garden alongside her third husband, Randall Fort, who she lived with in Albuquerque. It almost seemed like a daily occurrence that Patsy was adopting a new animal, be it chickens, dogs, cats, rabbits, or turtles, and always opened up a place at the dinner table for a student far from home. Additionally, Patsy was an accomplished cook of New Mexican cuisine, and jumped at any opportunity to host friends and family for parties, dinners, and regular game nights. It didn’t matter if you were a long-time friend or a total stranger, all found themselves welcome at Patsy’s home.

Patsy valued family above all else. While she lived outside of her hometown for most of her life, she made frequent trips to El Paso to see her siblings, nieces, and nephews. She loved going on adventures with her siblings and children; sometimes sweeping them off to places like British Columbia, Ireland, and Paris. She loved her parents dearly and looked up to them, especially her father; always trying to lead a life he’d be proud of. And in turn, she was immensely proud of her three children, acting as a constant champion to each one of their dreams even if it ached her to see them leave her nest. One of her greatest joys was to see her grandchildren grow up and she lovingly embraced her role as Mamie to Luke and Tessa. It was as if her talents were passed down directly to them and she nurtured their budding interests like Luke’s avid reading and Tessa’s savvy in the kitchen.

Patsy spent her remaining years in Seattle, living in Assisted Living very close to her children. While she yearned for more chances to travel, to garden, and to be with family; she filled her days enjoying coffees and lunches with her children, taking walks with her grandchildren, and spending quality time with her new best friend, Phyllis. And while dementia took her from us much too soon, it didn’t do anything to dampen her willfulness and headstrong nature. Notably, upon arrival in Assisted Living she immediately formed what became known as the “Posse” and assumed the role of ringleader. To no one’s surprise, her guile, persuasion, and infectious personality won over residents and staff alike as she quickly became a beloved member of the community.

Known for her love of life and her curiosity about people, which fed her conviction and compassion for others, Patsy was a massively positive influence in the lives of all those that had the pleasure of knowing her. Quick to laugh, and always the smartest person in the room, she was a force of nature and a constant source of light, joy, and inspiration for the innumerable lives she impacted. While she left a legacy of education, stewardship, and family values in her wake, perhaps her greatest lesson was to live and love passionately; emanating the kind of joyous energy anyone felt walking into her home – the doors and windows open, sunlight streaming in, and the music turned up. She will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her son Brian and his wife Jessica, her daughters Elizabeth and Marie, her grandchildren Luke and Tessa, and all of her siblings: Pete, Judy, Mary, Betsy, Joe, and Sharon.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider sending donations to the Dr. Patricia E. Boverie Endowment for Transformative Learning at UNM: https://www.unmfund.org/s/195…

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