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The Rev. Patricia Underkofler "Deacon Pat" grew up in Massachusetts, at the foot of the Berkshires and still misses the changing seasons. She followed her brother to San Diego, where she met Alan, her late husband. They married at All Saints Church in San Diego and eventually had two children. Alan Jr. lives in Oregon and has two online companies. Their daughter, Jennifer, lives in North Carolina and is a manager for a large antique mall. Deacon Pat has two adult grandsons. Her husband passed away in 2014 after a long illness.
Deacon Pat's call was confirmed several times as her children grew up. Over the years she completed her BA at Bethel Seminary in San Diego and continued working for the Department of the Navy. She completed the diaconal track at the School of Ministry at Claremont School of Theology, in Claremont, CA. She was ordained in San Diego on February 3, 2003. After a brief time at Trinity Church in Escondido, she moved to Yuma and completed a one year residency in Clinical Pastoral Care at Yuma Regional Medical Center. At the same time, she began her ministry at St. Paul's, as Deacon. She worked for Catholic Community Services as Home Care Coordinator for two years. When Hospice Compassus came to town, she was offered the position of Chaplain. After 14 years with Hospice Compassus, Deacon Pat retired in 2020.
"Prayer is a foundation of my personal ministry. Over the years I have been active in outreach, and prayer groups. On a more personal level I am an avid thrifter and card maker." Currently her ministries include a daily devotional on St Paul's Facebook, pastoral visits with communion, and most recently Chaplain of the Desert Oasis Healing Community of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician.
Deacon Pat retired from official active diaconal service in 2023, but as with most of St. Paul's, "retired" is just in name only.
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