Patricia Streitz

Patricia Ryan Streitz died on Saturday, September 7, 2013. She was born February 14, 1929, to Maurice and Cecelia Ryan. She attended St. Paul public school and graduated from high school at the Convent of the Visitation in St. Paul, MN. Patricia received her BA and teaching degree from the University of Minnesota in 1951.
She married John M Streitz in 1951, and lived in Cleveland Ohio for one year while John was an intern at the Cleveland City Hospital. Patricia taught 4th grade in the Cleveland public school system. In 1952, they moved to St. Paul and then three years later to Duluth where they raised five children, and John practiced urology. During the late 1960's, she served as chair of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission for the City of Duluth. Patricia enrolled in the English Department at the University of Minnesota - Duluth as a graduate student, obtaining a master's degree in English literature in 1969. She started teaching English at Central High School in 1971, working in the innovative Experience Center. She worked in staff development in the Duluth Public Schools and retired in 1992. Patricia was an avid horsewoman until an accident in 1979 forced her to stop riding. She owned and trained Dobermans, loved skiing with John and their children, and spending summers at Amnicon Point.
She is survived by her husband John M Streitz Sr., and her five children Susan Streitz, John Streitz Jr. (Susan), Sarah Kaplan (Leon Steinberg), Andrew Streitz (Diane Desotelle), and David Streitz (Michelle). In addition, she is
survived by ten grandchildren: Robert Pokorney, Madeline Pokorney, Patrick Streitz, Anna Streitz, Simon Kaplan, Lucienne Kaplan, Ryan Streitz, Michael Streitz, Alastair Streitz, and Eva Streitz; and her sister Therese Russell of Southport CT, three nieces, and one nephew.
The family wants to thank Dr. Michael Whitcomb and Mary Beth Horek at Essentia, and staff at Senior Friends, Essentia Hospice and Solvay House for their care of Patricia.
A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday September 14, at Pilgrim Congregational Church, 2310 E 4th St in Duluth.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Patricia R Streitz School of Medicine scholarship at the University of Minnesota- Duluth, or CHUM's emergency family shelter project.