Death of Patricia "Pat" Ann (Rodenberg) Mauro

Patricia “Pat” Ann Rodenberg (Mauro) entered this life on Jan. 2, 1928, and left it on Aug. 18, 2021. The one-sentence summary of her life, “ … you shall love your neighbor as yourself,” was a direct quote from her Lord and Savior. Her one-sentence life summary is what she lived and taught. And no one around her questioned her consistency or reliability. No one ever heard her complain, “Who’s my neighbor?” In her world view, everyone was her neighbor. And her extreme generosity was well known in her community. Numerous people have said, “My life would not be the same had I not been a friend of Pat Mauro.”

Pat, the daughter of Henry and Thelma Rodenberg, grew up in their family home in Richmond, Indiana. Much of her early life was defined and characterized by her large extended family of Turner’s and Rodenberg’s. She embraced the definition of life which she found in the religion of her parents, the Seventh-day Adventist Church. And no one questioned her religious beliefs. She was the second of four siblings, including her brothers Gene and Bill, and sister Norma. Her early childhood and adolescence were directly influenced by the Great Depression and World War II.

In 1946, Pat graduated from Indiana Academy and enrolled in Emmanuel Missionary College (EMC), which later became Andrews University. Upon entering EMC, she met her future husband Willard “Knobby” Mauro. Their life, of nearly 72 years together, was characterized by having fun with family and friends and helping folks in the community. Their favorite charitable outlets were Pioneer Memorial Church and Andrews University.

Knobby’s teaching career of 41 years, as a high school teacher and principal, was punctuated by the meals Pat made and the pool parties she gave for his students. Pat’s family and friends considered her remarkable for her contributions to Knobby’s career. She also held full-time teaching positions at St. Joseph High School and Andrews University. Her teaching career primarily focused on Family Studies.

Pat is succeeded by a son, Steve, a daughter, Nancy, their spouses, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.