Salem: Retired Professor Patricia Roderick, a pioneer in the School for Social Work program at Salem State College, died Thursday, April 23, 2009 at the Grosvenor Park Nursing Center in Salem. She was 72.
Born and raised in New Bedford she was the daughter of the late Adolph ‘Harry’ and Laura (Serpa) Roderick. Educated in the New Bedford school system, she moved to Boston to begin her college career, and worked in the public and private sector as a social worker. Following her graduation from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, she accepted a position at Salem State College and completed her Master of Social Work degree from Boston College. Professor Roderick was one of the founders of the Social Work program at the college. She held the department chair from 1975 through 1979 and was instrumental in obtaining accreditation for the Bachelors program and the development in the Masters program. She retired from the college in 1999 as an Associate Professor Emeritus, and was recognized for her outstanding commitment to Social Work Values and Ethics.
Pat was a loyal member of the Paul Madore Chorale, for many year, and traveled with the group on one of their European tours. She was also a member of the former St. Joseph Parish of Salem and a member of the Sisters of the Assumption Associates. She suffered a severe stroke in 2001 and has been a resident of Grosvenor Park for the past 8 years.
She is survived by 2 aunts, Tillie Ferreira of New Bedford and Dorothy Cacilhas of Mattapoisett, her cousin, Kenneth Ferreira and his wife Elizabeth of Wareham and their children, Kimberly Manzone, Kelly Silva and Kristen Higgins. She was predeceased by a sister Priscilla Roderick, 3 uncles William Serpa, Jr., Albert & John Serpa, and 5 aunts, Edwina Amaral, Mary Enos, Alice Braga, Margaret Gallagher and Mabel Guerrin.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather for her funeral on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem to be followed by her funeral mass in St. James Church, Federal St., Salem at 11:30 a.m. Visiting hours: Sunday 4 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery, New Bedford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Patricia Roderick Award, c/o Salem State College Foundation, 352 Lafayette St., Salem, MA 01970. For guestbook and additional information, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com