Patricia Dean Schreiber of Herndon, Virginia died September 15, 2020 at age 65 following a long illness. She was laid to rest in Iselin, New Jersey, with her husband’s family.
Pat was born in 1955 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Jean and Walter Dean, and grew up in the nearby town of Ferguson. She and her beloved twin sister Peg joined a busy household with two older siblings, Walter Jr. and Mary, and grandmother Alice. Pat graduated from McCluer Senior High School and then took a gap year before college to live in Zurich, Switzerland as au pair to a German family, still among her treasured friends.
After graduating from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota with a degree in English magna cum laude, Pat earned a master’s degree in Special Education at Northwestern University. She moved to Princeton, New Jersey where she met David Schreiber, then a graduate student in physics. They married in 1985, and moved to Morris Plains, New Jersey where Pat became a Learning Disabilities Teaching Consultant for the Roxbury Township school district. Their two sons William and Michael were born in Morristown, New Jersey in 1987 and 1990.
In 1992 Pat, David, and their sons moved to northern Virginia, near Pat’s sister Peg and her family. She stayed at home with Will and Mike when they were little. In 1997, Pat joined the Fairfax County public schools and spent most of her career there as an Advanced Academics teacher. She retired in 2018.
Pat could talk with anybody. She was smart, kind, generous, wickedly funny, and always ready to have a good time. In her illness, she was fiercely determined to live life fully, and she remained optimistic through incredible difficulties. Pat had an extraordinary talent for love and friendship, for binding family, for listening, and for sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with everyone around her.
Pat was predeceased by her parents Jean and Walter Dean. She is survived by her husband of thirty-five years David Schreiber, son William and his wife Stefanie LoSavio of Durham, North Carolina; son Michael of Cranston, Rhode Island; siblings Walter Dean Jr. (Lillian Dean) of Huntington Woods, Michigan, Mary Alice Dean (Alan Solomon) of Woodbridge, Connecticut, and Margaret Hillman (Thomas Hillman) of Reston, Virginia; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Barbara and Jack Schreiber of New City, New York, David’s sisters, Janet Herbstman (David Herbstman) and Jennifer Saal, twelve nieces and nephews and five great-nieces and nephews, and more friends than there are stars in the sky.
Donations in Pat’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Emeth in Herndon, Virginia, or to the charity of your choice.
Pat’s smile was a daily, heartwarming event of dorm life at Carleton. I’m so sorry to hear of her passing.Mary Tone Rodgers
My sincere condolences to Pat’s family for their loss. I remember her from our days at Carleton — and am so glad to have had the chance to reconnect at our Carleton ‘78 San Diego mini reunion last October. We ran into each other again at the Getty Villa which was a delightful surprise. She was so friendly and happy to wander through the archeological treasures with me for a bit while we continued our conversation from the week before. I am lucky to have known her. She will be missed.
Pat was such a light in our world. I had the privilege of working with Pat when she joined the staff at Kings Park Elementary School. I thought that she had a good sense of humor and a wonderful laugh. Throughout the years we shared recipes, crafts, a love of organizing, and road trips to our friend Carol that always took hours longer than schedule because we found new adventures to experience. Pat’s friendship and love will be cherished as some of my best memories. Pat taught me to live life each day with positive intention and hope. We are all luckier for having known the amazing Pat Schreiber.
I met Pat while attending Ferguson Junior High where we both participated in the Pom Pom corps. She remained a great friend throughout junior high and high school where we participated in many musical activities together. In addition to choir, we both were in the chorus of The Apple Tree and The Mikado at the local community college. What wonderful fun that was!!! I have so many fond memories of Pat. I was also blessed to know her parents and sister Peg and have many wonderful memories of visiting their warm cozy home in Ferguson. She is the only childhood friend I remained in contact with over the years. I had the blessing of seeing Pat at one of our high school reunions and during some of her visits to see her parents. Pat was a wonderful caring person with the most infectious smile of anyone I have ever known. I am truly blessed to have had her as a friend during all these years. Her bravery and positive attitude during her illness is such an inspiration to me. I know she has a special place in heaven and will be fondly remembered by all those who were privileged to know her.
Pat will always be with us-memories of her beautiful smile and spirit will keep her in our hearts. I am so lucky to have shared time with Pat and Dave during a recent Carleton class of ’78 reunion in San Diego. Her indomitable perseverance and wonderful humor inspired all of us. We will miss Pat.
With deep sympathy and love to Dave, William and Michael
Pat Beilman
Pat was so very dear to so many. Her sweet nature put a smile on your face. I will miss seeing her and sharing with her stories about my kids as she shared stories of Will, Stephanie and Mike.I know she will rest in peace knowing that she gave her family the stong foundation to lead a meaningful and powerful life. Pat’s footprint on this world is stamped deep into the soul of many. Deepest condolences to the family.
Pat will forever be in my heart! She had the best sense of humor, her smile lit up the room and her kindness was always evident. We shared a loved of Chicago foods and talked about deep dish pizzas and Portillo Italian Beef! Every day with Pat was a wonderful day! There is a profound sadness with Pat’s passing. I know she wants us all to keep our spirits high and enjoy each day to the fullest. My life is much richer for having worked with Pat and having her as my friend!
We are so sorry about the passing of wonderful Pat. We go way back to Princeton grad school days with Pat and Dave. She was always such a warm and upbeat soul. Our deepest condolences to Dave and the boys. Paula and Danny Kaplan