Patricia Frances Hermes

On December 30, 2024, Patricia Frances (Steffes) Hermes was born to eternal life after having lived a full life and patiently enduring a long journey with Alzheimer's disease. She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, James Gordon Hermes, and three children: Sister Kathryn James, FSP, Denise Marie Sardo and her husband Michael, and James Anthony Hermes and his wife Diane (Manss) Hermes. She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Christopher Sardo and his wife Erin Lockwood, Thomas Sardo and his wife Lindsey Roivas, Peter Sardo, Jack Sardo and his wife Adrianna (Di Tirro) Sardo, Antonia, Hana, and Cathryn; and four great grandchildren: Josephine Sardo, Meredith Sardo, Madison Sardo and baby Ember Sardo expected in January 2025.

Pat was born in Washington, D.C., on October 19, 1941, the middle child of Harold Edward Steffes and Adelaide Cecilia (Wunderlich) Steffes. She is predeceased by her parents and brothers Richard Paul Steffes and James (Jim) Edward Steffes. She grew up in Arlington VA and graduated from Trinity Catholic High School and Marymount University with honors at both institutions. She worked briefly for the U.S. General Services Administration and was voted Miss GSA in 1961.

Pat and Gordon met at a family wedding and were married October 20, 1962, at St. James Catholic Church in Falls Church, VA. After the first years of their marriage in Bermuda where Gordon was stationed with the U.S. Air Force, they raised their family primarily in Falls Church.

Pat instilled in her family the strength of her own Catholic faith. She was Director of Religious Education and taught CCD at St. John the Beloved Parish in McLean, VA. Throughout the years she also sang in the parish choir, cofounded the Legion of Mary, and led the rosary making group. After her children had grown, she worked for a number of years in the Religion Department at Bishop O'Connell High School and served as parish secretary at St. John the Beloved, McLean, and St. Ambrose, Annandale. At her retirement, she was the longest serving parish secretary in the Diocese of Arlington. Until the onset of Alzheimer's, she and Gordon traveled, and Pat took up panting icons.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, VA on January 8, 2025 at 10:30. Burial will be private.

Pat's infectious smile and dedicated, grateful heart will be missed by all who have come to know her. For those who have cared for her in her final years, we are deeply grateful. The blessing which was so often on Pat's lips, she offers to us still today: "God bless you. God love you. God keep you."