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Public Tribute Comments & Photo Wall for Pat
Memorial Tribute Wall
Brian Fallon, MD
Columbia University Medical Center
Dear Rich and the Smith Family,
Where did Pat come from? Pat Smith is a giant in my estimation, a powerful force of nature – brilliant, passionate, persistent, indomitable, and wise. She was devoted to making a difference in this world. At the same time, and more importantly, Pat was motivated not by a wish for power but by her deep compassion. Pat devoted her life to others: to her family and to the many in this world afflicted with Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. Pat’s core commitment to justice, scientific excellence, and integrity made her extraordinarily effective in her work – fighting on behalf of patients and for the doctors who help them.
MoreChoukri Ben Mamoun
Professor of Medicine, Microbial Pathogenesis and Pathology
Yale University
It is with deep sadness and a profound sense of loss that I reflect on the passing of Pat Smith, a towering figure in the fight against tick-borne diseases and a dear friend, colleague, and fellow fighter. As the long-serving President of the Lyme Disease Association, Pat was a powerful force for good in the TBD community, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her.
MoreRobert Bransfield, MD
Past President, ILADS
I am very saddened to hear of Pat Smith’s passing. I have known her a long time and we did many projects together.
I would like to share a few things:
Jeff & Pam Dugas
Brookfield, Wolfeboro NH Lyme Support (NH)
It is with the heaviest of hearts we write…
Pat Smith was the epitome of complete public service to so many groups, entities and individuals that work in the field of tick borne diseases. So hard to even write this because of all that she was and all that she did for so many tirelessly day after day, year after year. We still cannot believe she is gone and we will not recognize life without Pat. The most amazingly unselfish person who gave so much for all of us and to write here all that she accomplished feels unmeasurable. Thank-you Pat …we love you and will miss you. God Bless!
Richard Horowitz MD
Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center
I’ve known Pat for most of my career as a Lyme doctor, and she was one of the hardest working and most effective advocates ever. When we worked together on the HHS Tickborne disease Working Group, she always spoke truth to power. She was a tireless advocate to help others who suffered from Lyme and TBD. She did great work. The Lyme community will miss her. Bless you Pat, for all the wonderful work that you did to help others.
Martha Young
My heart is absolutely broken w/ this tragic news. 💔
I met Pat several times many, many years ago at national & international medical conferences she coordinated – Philadelphia, Washington DC, NJ, CA, CT…too many to count. I was amazed at her passion, intelligence, motivation, commitment, dedication, & compassion as she brilliantly & eloquently presented to those in medicine, politics, education, & science.
RIP, dear lady. You championed causes few would ever dare to, easing the suffering of so many, & launching medicine & research in a new & needed direction. Prayers uplifted to family & friends. Grateful to have known one of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. 💚🙏🏼💚
Sean McCloy, MD, MPH, MA
Integrative Health Center of Maine
Rest in Peace, Pat. What an especially well-deserved rest for this tireless Lyme warrior! I first met Pat at a conference put on by Midcoast Lyme Disease Awareness in Maine many years ago. In the first 10 seconds of our conversation I said to myself, “who IS this person?” as I was blown away by her passion, knowledge, enthusiasm, and encouragement for the community and its providers. What a force of nature Pat was — irreplaceable. Thank you for all you’ve done for our community!!! Now rest and Be Well.
Kathleen Wallace
Lyme disease patient advocate specializing in the syndrome of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities or MCS
I never personally met Pat as I am unable to travel with my Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. I, did, however present to her twice when she sat on the Congressional TBDWG panel. In typical Pat fashion, in an email she thanked me for bringing this syndrome in the forefront as many suffer but few speak of it. Pat is the one we all should be thankful for! She truly made a difference for all patients with tick borne illness. May she rest in peace and her memory live on!
Susan Marra, MS, ND
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Pat Smith as it was very unexpected. She was a pillar of strength for lyme patients all over the world and she stood up to the establishment to get legislation passed for Lyme disease and coinfections to be recognized as a serious disease. She founded the LDA and LymeAidforKids which has helped so many people all over the world. She was relentless in her pursuit of fairness to patients and did whatever she could to advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves. Her passion and drive was unmatched by anyone. She will be sorely missed and her efforts will never be forgotten. What a sudden tremendous loss to the Lyme community. She also put on a great scientific conference every year with excellent speakers. She lobbied in Washington DC and traveled the globe to increase awareness of the dangers of Lyme disease. I’m not going to say goodbye Pat, but I will say so long…we will meet again somewhere sometime and enjoy another chat.
Debora Scatuccio
LDA
Pat Smith has been a friend and colleague of mine for over half my lifetime. We met in 1990 at Jersey Shore Medical Center when our daughters were treated for Lyme disease. Her chief focus at that time was caring for children who were suffering with Lyme.
Pat had a nearly unstoppable amount of energy and intensity when it came to educating the public and fighting for the rights of patients dealing with Lyme & tick-borne disease.
I was privileged to be her Board Secretary during the beginning of her tenure as the President of LDA. More importantly I was grateful for her friendship.
The things I admired most about Pat was her tenacity, bravery, honesty and transparency.
I am posting my favorite picture of Pat and myself at the 1994 Great Imitator Costume Benefit held at Point Pleasant Beach. Pat came dressed as George Washington. A very fitting person for Pat to emulate. Much like Washington, Pat was a good “General” as she led and joined with us in the “Fight Against Lyme Disease.” While I know she never cut down a Cherry Tree, Pat was honest to the core!
I join with my husband, Vincent, in expressing our deepest sympathy to Rich and the Smith Family.
Eileen Valerio, RN, BSN, CSN
Dear Family of Pat Smith,
My deepest condolences for the loss of this beautiful soul. Pat will always hold a special place in my heart! I was a school nurse when I first learned about the devastation of Lyme disease. The disease affected my family personally, even took the life of my brother! The more I learned about the disease, I knew I had to try educate parents because our physicians were not testing or screening children for this horrific disease. I reached out to Pat through email, she answered me right away and offered to come speak to my school community. Here is the beautiful write up in the Burlington County Times.
https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/picture-gallery/news/2017/05/19/learning-about-lyme-disease/559522007/
Over 200 attended! Pat continued to help me raise awareness, she awarded me a scholarship to attend an ILADS conference. I have so much admiration for Pat, she was a true Angel here on earth and now she officially has her wings! I will surely miss her, she touched so many lives!
Sarah Maxwell
University of Texas at Dallas
I am deeply saddened to learn of Pat’s passing. Pat and I got to know one another via our shared frustrations over the lack of tick-borne disease data at the county level available to researchers and the medical community. Pat was an inspiration to me on so many levels. I am committed to completing the U.S. County-Level Tick-Borne Disease Data Guidebook in Pat’s honor (funded by a 2024-2025 grant from the LDA, Inc). I so wish I could thank Pat again for the feedback, support, and opportunity. She had a brilliant mind and a very generous heart. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends during this difficult time.
Pamela Cipriano, DNP
The Practice of Health and Wellness
Reading the news about the passing of Pat was so unexpected! How could someone with so much energy and passion ever really die? She is the strongest, most vibrant person I have ever had the honor to meet! Her passion was beyond compare! When I was a newbie coming to the LDA and ILADS meetings, she was the first person to help direct me. I got involved with TBD after my son was misdiagnosed for years. Pat made me feel welcome and was very instrumental with the scholarship I was awarded for my first LDA meeting. She will be sorrily missed by everyone who knew her! Such a loss to the Lyme community! Her memory and bravery will live on long after we all join her on the other side!
With Much Love and Respect,
Pamela Cipriano
LDA Memorial Tribute Pat Smith
Celebration of Life, Saturday, Sept. 7th
Thank you for helping us honor this amazing woman. Pat Smith’s dedication and contributions to the Lyme Disease Association Inc and the community are truly inspiring. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy will continue to impact countless lives.