Pat was born and raised on the east coast. For the past 25 years, she has lived in St. Louis.
After beginning her own personal research, she started teaching genealogy at St. Louis Community College. Currently, she serves as the Education Manager of the National Genealogical Society and volunteers at the Education Director of St. Louis Genealogical Society.
Her memberships include:
- The National Genealogical Society
- The Genealogical Speakers Guild
- St. Louis Genealogical Society (life member)
- State Historical Society of Missouri
- Friend of Missouri State Archives