In Memoriam: Patricia Blunt Koldyke
1936-2019
It is with great sorrow that we share the news of our beloved Patricia Blunt Koldyke’s death. She passed away on March 27th surrounded by her family in her home in Florida. Our deepest sympathies go out to the entire Koldyke family during this time of mourning.
Without Pat, there would be no Golden Apple. Her passion for the power of education to improve our world fueled the creation of both The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching and Leadership and The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Program. Over the past 34 years, she and Mike launched, seeded, supported and engaged in the honoring of over 350 master educators, Golden Apple Fellows, and the induction and preparation of more than 3,000 aspiring teachers via The Golden Apple Scholars Program. Her life and work have forever improved the status of education in Illinois and we are deeply grateful for her vision, passion, and accomplishments during her extraordinary life.
We will forever remember Pat’s beautiful smile and her unwavering strength. She will remain our inspiration into perpetuity. We will honor her spirit and presence in all that we do – and in the composition, diversity, capacity, and efficacy of future generations of teachers – and the positive and sustained impact for the students our Fellows and Scholars touch.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Golden Apple Foundation.
“Pat is the angel of light we hold in our thoughts, in our prayers, and in our hearts.”
Tribute to Pat & Mike Koldyke:
Photos of Pat Through the Years:
